In Frames: Between life and livelihood for the Mumbai train forces

THirteen commuters fell from a local train and five died near Mumbra in Mumbai on 9 June morning when the bags of some of them in one train against those who passed along the adjacent tracks. The horrible accident again emphasized the increasingly dangerous circumstances that are confronted daily by the local train passengers of Mumbai.

Read also | Bombay HC calls for preventive steps about the death of commuters on local trains of Mumbai

Now that stations such as Diva and Nalasopara are witnessing the worst increase in crowds, commuters – pressed for space in the compartments – are forced to hang precarious on the footboard.

During peak hours, getting into a train is a fight-to-people spilling over platforms, running on the tracks to quickly reach the other end and press in baking plartiments. The situation becomes more chaotic at junctions where stops are short and access points limited, so that little room remains for a safe and orderly entry process.

Although the authorities have presented AC as a solution as a solution for closed doors, commuters claim that these trains often do not miss a capacity to handle the volume of daily commuters. With space restrictions and fewer coaches than on regular trains, AC trains can ultimately only offer a partial and privileged solution for a larger public crisis.

The situation has steadily deteriorated. Despite the fact that it is the lifeline of the city, the Mumbai sub -city railway system is overloaded and under enormous pressure. Unless comprehensive, targeted solutions will be implemented soon, such incidents can become disturbingly frequent-a grim reminder of the price forens pay for simply trying to achieve work.

After the accident of 9 June, Bombay’s High Court expressed his concern about the death of commuters on the Mumbai Suburban Railway. Central Railway dedicated to give recommendations together with a timeline for the implementation of these recommendations.

Referring to the summary of Affidavit submitted by Central Railway, the court said: “It is disturbing that more than 3,588 people died on local trains in 2024, which means that on average 10 Mumbaikars die every day.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Forced adventure: women endanger their lives while holding them in a full compartment on their daily route.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Bracing before arrival: commuters are waiting for an suburbs train at the busy Nalasopara station during peak hours.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Perilous journey: commuters travel on the footboard they hang on bars on the door of a suburban train in Mumbai that is approaching TheThe station.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Sisyphean Journey: a full of AC-preliminary train from Virar to Churchgate.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Only ladies: Women wave a coach on board a coach only for them in an suburth train at the Nalasopara station.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Apply it: the arrival of a suburban train is eagerly expected, because it is the cheapest and fastest way of transporting for Lakhs from commuters.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Growt for Space: commuters on a full of AC-preliminary train from Virar to Churchgate.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Peak Hour Rush: commuters that will travel in opposite directions are face-to-face while waiting for trains at the Nalasopara station.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

In and out: a man is struggling to come from a busy one in the suburbs at the station of Nalasopara and those who are on board the train want to bind his way. As every second counts, the struggle to protect even standing space never ends

Photo: Emmanual Yogini

Short respite: In the suburbs of Mumbai it is common to regularly perform devotional singing groups – known as Bhajan Mandals – during the trip regularly devotional songs. Such a group is seen in the Habour line Vashi-CSMT train.