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These are just 9 people who have lost their lives on Mumbai’s railway tracks. But this list isn’t anywhere near a comprehensive one. Because, on an average, 9 people die while commuting on the Mumbai local EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Mumbai’s suburban Railway Network is considered the lifeline of the maximum city as it covers at least 319 kilometres across three corridors - Western, Central and Harbour. A reasonable ticket fare, reduced travel time and accessibility make the local trains most Mumbaikars’ top choice for commute throughout the year. However, this demand also means overcrowding.
While the seating capacity of a 12-coach local train is 1172 commuters, during rush hour nearly 6000 people cram into a train. Overcrowding is one of the reasons for maximum number of deaths on railway tracks. At least 2300 people have already died this year along the tracks and over 2605 have sustained injuries. Over the last 5 years, over 18,000 people have lost their lives either by falling off crowded trains or trespassing across the tracks among other reasons.
Monica survived the accident but lost her arms in the ordeal. Three years after the horrific incident, Monica has once again gathered courage to start travelling by local trains. As she recalls the incident, Monica says soon after the accident she was taken to the Rajawadi hospital by two fellow commuters in an auto rickshaw as there was no ambulance at the station at the time.
According to the reply to an RTI query filed by activist Samir Zaveri, there are approximately 3540 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel assigned for security of commuters across Mumbai suburban Railways. At least 478 posts are still vacant and out of these 420 are posts vacant for police constables.
According to the RTI response, the police force need over 3000 more personnel to ensure they have adequate manpower. But while stationing more police personnel will ensure the number of accidents reduce, police personnel too believe that commuters must also adhere to the rules.
According to official statistics, maximum number of Suburban Railway deaths have been registered at Kalyan so far with 289 people. Kurla and Thane along the Central line follow suit with over 250 deaths and Borivali station in the Western line stands third with over 240 deaths already. To reduce the number of deaths by providing instant medical assistance, Central Railways has established One Rupee Clinics at 10 stations so far. Also, five Emergency Medical Rooms have been set up at Dadar, Kurla, Wadala, Mulund and Ghatkopar railway stations.
This especially turned out to be a life saver on 11 October after a 26-year-old woman went into labour inside the train coach at Dadar station. But experts question the delay in setting up EMRs.
But despite the improving medical and security arrangements, it is highly likely that today nine people will again lose their lives on Mumbai’s deadly tracks.
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