Mumbai : Overcrowding Claims Young Woman’s Life on Suburban Railway Network
Mumbai : A 28-year-old commuter lost her life after falling from an overcrowded suburban local train at Badlapur railway station on Saturday morning, underscoring persistent safety concerns on Mumbai’s heavily used rail network. The incident occurred at approximately 8:10 a.m., during peak travel hours, when passengers rush toward workplaces across the metropolitan region.
Incident at Badlapur Station
According to officials from the Government Railway Police, the woman was attempting to board a local train bound for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus when she lost her balance and fell onto the platform. The rush inside the train was reportedly intense, leaving little room for safe movement as commuters tried to enter the coach.
Railway authorities later identified the deceased as Chetana Devrukhkar. She was pronounced dead following the fall, and an accidental death case has been registered. Police officials stated that there were no indications of foul play or external involvement at this stage.
Daily Commute Turns Fatal
Devrukhkar was employed with a private firm in Thane and was on her routine journey to work when the incident occurred. Like thousands of others, she relied on the suburban railway system for daily travel. Investigators noted that the fall happened while she was boarding the train, a moment often considered one of the most dangerous during peak hours due to overcrowding.
Senior police officers at the scene confirmed that the train was stationary at the platform at the time, and the primary factor appeared to be the sheer volume of passengers attempting to board simultaneously.
Separate Fall Incident Injures Three Passengers
In a separate but related incident earlier on Friday, three passengers were injured after falling from a moving local train heading toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The incident took place around 10 a.m., again during office rush hours, between the Sion and Matunga railway stations.
All three passengers survived the fall and were rushed to Sion Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Hospital sources have described their condition as stable, though they continue to receive medical care for their injuries.
Victims Identified, Investigation Ongoing
The injured passengers have been identified as Afzal Chaudhary, 36, a resident of Govandi; Sachin Vishwakarma, 21, from Thane; and Jainil Sayyed, 25, who lives in Kurla. Railway police have confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Officials from the Dadar Railway Police said that statements from the injured individuals have not yet been recorded, as doctors have advised rest before formal questioning. Initial findings suggest that overcrowding inside the train may have caused passengers to lose their footing near the doors.
No Dispute or Altercation Reported
Police have clarified that the fall was not linked to any argument, scuffle, or disturbance among passengers. There is no evidence to suggest that the incident was triggered by a dispute or sudden movement caused by panic. Authorities are continuing their inquiry to determine whether additional safety measures could have prevented the accident.
Renewed Focus on Suburban Rail Safety
The two incidents, occurring within days of each other, have once again drawn attention to safety challenges faced by Mumbai’s suburban railway system. During peak hours, trains often carry passengers well beyond their intended capacity, increasing the risk of slips and falls, particularly near entry and exit points.
Railway officials have reiterated appeals for caution while boarding and alighting trains, while commuters and safety advocates continue to call for long-term solutions, including improved crowd management and increased service frequency during rush hours.