A tragic train accident at Mumbai Railways on 9th June 2025 left the whole country devastated. The incident took place at 9:10 am between Diva and Mumbra stations. It is a stretch that has sharp curves and always remains overcrowded, making it an accident-prone zone. As stated by Central Railway, 13 people fell off the trains, among whom 4 died and others were injured.
After this incident, the train services resumed in the Cuttack-Nergundi rail section in Odisha after the derailment. The accident near Mumbra station happened when commuters hanging from the footboards of two passing trains brushed against each other.
The deceased individuals are identified as Ketan Saroj (23), Rahul Gupta (27), Vicky Mukhyadal (34), and Mayur Shah (44). The injured passengers are Shiva Gawli (23), Aadesh Bhoir (26), Rehan Shaikh (26), Anil More (40), Tushar Bhagat (22), Manish Saroj (26), Machchindra Gotarne (39), Sneha Dhonde (21), and Priyanka Bhatia (26).
Without wasting a minute, Mumbai police began an investigation into the incident. The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, condoled the loss of lives. He also stated that the injured people are receiving treatment at Shivaji Hospital and Thane General Hospital. Additionally, the Railway Department has also launched an investigation into the exact cause of the incident.
The Railway Board made essential decisions in the wake of the tragedy. As per the information, all the local trains will now have automatic door-closing mechanisms. The new non-AC trains will have designs with features like roof-mounted ventilation units, louvers on doors, and vestibules. Thus, passengers will be able to move between coaches. The first train of this new design is expected to be ready by November 2025 and will be put into service by January 2026.
The incident has led the Mumbai Railway Passenger Association to demand action against the railway manager. Additionally, they also criticized the prioritization of mail and express trains over local services. Additionally, they also called for an independent Mumbai local administration and reserved routes for local trains during rush hour.
If we consider the incident thoroughly, accidents like this are a notorious occurrence, particularly around the curve near Mumbra Station. A senior GRP officer also told The Indian Express, adding, “Even sitting passengers feel the jerk when the train navigates the curve. For those standing on the footboard, it becomes very hazardous.”
Conclusion
The Mumbai train accident is a reminder of the challenges faced by the city’s commuting population. Additionally, overcrowding remains a significant issue, and the need for better infrastructure is a necessity. Along with controlling the situation, the government has also compensated the families of the victims. Thus, changes in the Mumbai Railways signal comfortable transportation for the public.
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