Hold Tight: Central Railway to Make Footboard Travel Safer with Grab Handle Installation

Mumbai, India: In response to the tragic Mumbra railway incident that claimed four lives and injured ten others, Central Railway (CR) is taking decisive steps to enhance passenger safety. A major part of the safety upgrade includes the installation of additional grab handles near train doors at a cost of ₹2.40 crore.

The move comes after the June 9 tragedy in which several commuters, traveling precariously on footboards of overcrowded trains, fell while two trains passed each other at a curve in the tracks. Recognizing the urgency to improve commuter safety, CR has announced measures that will make footboard travel less risky—especially for those who have no choice but to travel on the edge during peak rush hours.

What the Safety Upgrade Involves

The ₹2.40 crore investment will be directed towards Siemens-manufactured trains, which currently lack sufficient grab handles near their doors. These trains form a major part of CR’s suburban fleet. The plan is to install horizontal rods near train doors, with 4 to 6 grab handles affixed to each doorway. This will give standing passengers, especially those on footboards, something to hold on to and stabilize themselves during the commute.

These additions are meant to replicate features already available in trains manufactured by BHEL, Bombardier, and Medha. Interestingly, Siemens trains—introduced between 2007 and 2008—make up 113 of the 163 trains in the CR fleet. The safety enhancements will initially be tested on a few coaches, and following successful trials at the Sanpada workshop, full-scale implementation will begin. The process is expected to take about two years.

 

Footboard Travel: A Deadly Compulsion

Mumbai’s local trains, famously overcrowded, force thousands of commuters daily to ride on footboards. While rail authorities continuously discourage this practice, infrastructural limitations leave little choice for many. With 39 to 40 lakh commuters using Central Railway's services daily on Main and Harbour lines, the urgency for safer conditions cannot be overstated.

Railway officials have stressed that although installing automatic door mechanisms would be the ideal long-term solution, the current focus is to provide immediate, life-saving support for those traveling on the margins of safety.
 

Door-Closer Mechanism: A Promising Future Upgrade
 

Following the Mumbra incident, the Railway Board also announced that all new trains under production for Mumbai’s suburban network would feature automatic door-closing mechanisms. Additionally, efforts will be made to retrofit existing rakes with similar safety technology.

Until these changes take effect, the installation of grab handles serves as a crucial interim safety measure. “We have assessed feasibility and have already begun installation trials,” a senior railway official said.

 

Ticket Checking Drive to Control Overcrowding

In a related effort to manage overcrowding, CR has intensified its ticket-checking drives. On Monday morning alone, a team of 55 ticket checkers and 7 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel apprehended 106 ticketless travelers in First Class compartments.

The checks were carried out on trains departing from key suburban stations such as Thane, Titwala, Ambernath, Badlapur, and Panvel between 7am and 10am. The campaign resulted in fines totaling ₹33,575. Notably, most offenses involved expired monthly season tickets.

 

Conclusion: A Step in the Right Direction

While structural challenges remain, the Central Railway’s move to install grab handles is a much-needed response to recent tragedies and long-standing commuter concerns. Coupled with intensified ticket checks and plans for door automation, this initiative reflects a growing focus on commuter safety and comfort.

As Mumbai’s local train system continues to be the lifeline of the city, each effort—no matter how small—plays a pivotal role in preventing future accidents and ensuring safe, dignified travel for millions.