'Alarming Situation' : Bombay High Court On Local Train Deaths; Suggests Automatic Doors For Mumbai Locals

The Bombay High Court on Thursday suggested that the Central Railways consider installing automatic closed doors in Mumbai local trains to prevent commuters from falling off and dying, a tragic occurrence the Court described as "alarming."

The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne was hearing a public interest litigation concerning the recurring deaths of railway passengers due to overcrowding and falls from moving trains. The Court took note of a grim incident on June 9, when 13 passengers fell from a moving local near Mumbra in Thane district, resulting in the death of four and injuries to nine others.

"Whatever measures you have taken are not sufficient, it appears. People are dying after falling from moving trains. Your own data shows that around 10 commuters die daily in train accidents. The situation is alarming," Justice Marne remarked.

Chief Justice Aradhe echoed the concern, stating, “We only want that such an incident should not occur again in future. This is alarming.”

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, appearing for the Railways, informed the Court that several preventive steps had been taken from time to time, and that a multi-disciplinary committee led by a senior divisional safety commissioner has been constituted after the June 9 incident. A report is awaited, he said.

ASG Singh listed the measures taken so far such as the installation of track dividers to prevent trespassing, reducing the gap between footboards and platforms, and removal of food and book stalls to ease platform congestion.

However, Justice Marne pressed further: “But what about people falling from moving locals?”

At this point, Chief Justice Aradhe offered a suggestion: “The most basic suggestion that we as laypersons can give is, why can't you have automatic closed doors? This will be of much help to achieve your goal of Zero Deaths. We are not experts in railway safety, but you can consider having closed doors.”

In response, the ASG highlighted the continuing work of a high-level committee focused on the Zero Deaths Mission, claiming that the daily toll of commuter deaths was declining.

When the petitioner sought to address the bench directly, the Chief Justice asked whether the petitioner was an expert in the field. “Still, you give your suggestions to the multi-disciplinary committee which is looking into the incident. We will ask them to consider your suggestions,” he said.

The matter has been posted for further hearing.