Mumbai locals to get automatic doors by December in major safety upgrade

“Automatic doors will now be a standard feature in suburban trains. Safety cannot be compromised, and we will ensure these trains are running before the end of this year,” he said.

According to officials, 238 fully air-conditioned local trains are currently under production, each fitted with sensor-based automatic doors. These rakes will be deployed on both Central and Western Railway suburban sections, marking the largest induction of AC trains into Mumbai’s network.

Alongside, non-AC trains, which form the bulk of Mumbai’s suburban fleet, will gradually be upgraded. A prototype coach developed at Kurla has already demonstrated a non-AC model with automatic closing doors, ventilated panels, and roof-mounted air circulation units to counter concerns about suffocation. Interconnecting vestibules have also been added to improve passenger flow inside crowded coaches.

“The system is designed to close doors automatically before departure and reopen only after halting. This will drastically reduce the risk of passengers falling or being pushed out,” said Vaishnaw.

The urgency to adopt automatic doors comes after the June 2025 accident near Mumbra, which renewed focus on overcrowding and open-door travel. Passenger associations have long demanded safety interventions, pointing to the thousands of fatalities on Mumbai’s rail lines every year.

According to official data, around eight people die daily on Mumbai’s suburban network, largely from falling off overcrowded trains or crossing the tracks. Rail officials say automatic doors are the most effective solution to reduce such deaths.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is producing the non-AC prototypes, with the first rake expected in November. After successful trials, deployment is targeted before December 2025. The 238 AC trains will begin entering service in the same timeframe, ensuring that by year-end, both AC and non-AC rakes in operation will feature automatic doors.

Railway officials maintain that the new system is not only about technology but also about changing commuter behaviour. “With automatic doors, passengers will no longer be able to board or alight from moving trains. This change will take some getting used to, but it is vital for safety,” said Vaishnaw.

The introduction of automatic doors represents the most significant safety upgrade for Mumbai’s lifeline in decades. For commuters accustomed to clinging onto doorways or boarding on the run, it will also mark a major behavioural shift.