Thane train tragedy: Masterplan to avoid mishaps in the works, there are plans to operate AC local trains without fare hike, says CM Fadnavis

“Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held two-hour-long discuss with me post incident on Monday. We deliberated on effective measures to address the problems of overcrowding in local trains during the peak hours,” the CM told reporters in Mumbai as part of a media interaction organised to outline the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in 11 years.

The accident occurred after several passengers fell off two overcrowded moving trains near Mumbra railway station in Thane.

“Amongst the measures under consideration is putting doors to avoid mishap. When we say doors in local trains, it will be designed completely with adequate ventilation,” he said.

The CM admitted that the local trains are overcrowded during peak hours.

According to Fadnavis, the Mumbai local trains got maximum funds during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regimes in the last 11 years.

CM Fadnavis said that the government is planning to operate air-conditioned local trains without hiking the passenger fares.

“At the same time, we will ensure the commuters are not financially burdened. The ticket fares will be affordable,” Fadnavis revealed.

“Whether it was modernisation, upgradation of tracks, laying new railway lines, improving basic amenities, elevators in railways stations, expansion work and adding new railway lines, a lot of work took place in the last 11 years for which there was no paucity of funds from the Centre. Yet, train incident on Monday was unfortunate. We have to learn lessons from it and provide measures to avoid any mishap,” he noted.

The Thane train accident occurred due to a sudden jerk when one of the trains navigated a sharp curve between Diva and Mumbra stations, leading to the passengers on footboards of the trains bumping into each other and falling off, according to officials.

The Metro project, which Fadnavis has fast-tracked since his first tenure in 2014-2019, was allegedly stalled during the Uddhav Thackeray government of 2019-22. Though CM Fadnavis did not name any leader or party, the mention of the Metro delay was a subtle comment on the Opposition, which is questioning the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti government for the tragic train incident.