Mumbai Local News: Is Drugs Consumption On Train Becoming Common These Days?

There are several cases of passengers consuming narcotic substances onboard trains coming to the limelight this year. Recently, in a shocking video that went viral on social media, six guys and a girl were seen openly consuming drugs in Virar Local in Mumbai. Netizens are angry and demand that strict action should be taken against them.

In the video, it is seen that a young man is consuming drugs without any fear on the train. Another man is seen offering him drugs and keeping a powdered narcotic on his mobile phone. The group of seven youths deboarded the train at Nala Sopara station.

An X user who tweeted about the incident tagged Mumbai police in his post.

@Mumbai_police_ In Local train Guys Taking drugs they have Many drugs in pocket and they have Group of 6 guy and 1 Girls also In there They all Are Get AWAY in nalasopara station date 1/09/2023 time 1:25AM night 🌉 pic.twitter.com/9QjJS6LMsW

— ADARSH (@ADARSH7355) August 31, 2023

Citizens are angry and questioning the safety of passengers boarding trains. 

The safety of passengers traveling by Mumbai local trains is in danger due to the rampant consumption of drugs by the drug addicts who make a commute by train.

Railway officials have also expressed concern in the case. The Divisional Railway Managers have directed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to take cognizance of the matter and investigate the case. Further action is being initiated.

The Divisional Railway Manager of Western Railway (WR) was tagged by the railway authority in response to the complaints. "Matter has been notified to concerned officials for necessary action," the Mumbai Central Division tweeted.

Matter has been notified to concerned officials for necessary action.

— RPF MUMBAI CENTRAL DIVISION (@rpfwrbct) September 2, 2023

Authorities are currently actively looking into the situation to find and punish individuals responsible for the suspected drug consumption.

Cannabis is illegal to sell or consume in India, and smoking is prohibited on local trains. But there have been a number of instances of people getting aboard trains and smoking while they were traveling in the past.

In another incident that occurred in July, a man boarded the ladies' compartment of CSMT to Badlapur local at Byculla. He was seen smoking Ganja. The women commuters objected angrily. The man removed an item from his backpack. By the time the train reaches Dadar, he keeps on smoking marijuana (also known as ganja), despite the women's warnings to get off the train. The man hurries back inside the train's compartment as passengers who were waiting on the platform begin to enter the train. The Women RPF members at Kurla station threw him out of the train. A video of a man smoking on a train from Thane to Karjat went viral in January. Furthermore, he traveled in the compartment reserved for disabled persons on the train.

In 2022, the railways conducted an anti-smoking surprise drive and collected a fine amounting to INR 1,40,900 in just a week.