Mumbai's next AC locals can be safer with smarter design, says retired ICF engineer

8.33 am Titwala-CSMT AC local leaves Titwala. illustrations/Uday Mohite

How future AC locals can be made safer

A retired engineer from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) said Mumbai's next generation of AC local trains, being planned by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), can be redesigned to better handle technical failures during peak-hour overcrowding.

Around 9.20 am Air-conditioning develops a fault near Kalwa

Suggested improvements

Remote reset: Allow HVAC (air-conditioning) systems to be monitored and reset remotely, eliminating the need to access coach-end panels.

9.38 am Train detained at Mulund after passengers complain of suffocation

Cab controls: Enable the motorman to restart AC units or activate emergency ventilation from the driver's cabin.

Multiple access panels: Install service panels at more than one location inside the coach so technicians can reach them more easily.

9.54 am Train resumes journey with doors kept open

Fail-safe cooling: Ensure partial cooling continues if one AC unit fails. (This feature exists in current trains but reportedly failed in Monday's incident.)

External maintenance access: Position critical HVAC controls so they can be accessed from outside the coach during breakdowns.

Around 10.15 am Train reaches Kurla and is withdrawn from service

Expert advice

Dr Sanjeev Mehta, pulmonologist, Lilavati Hospital
If you feel breathless in a crowded train:
>> Stay as calm as possible.
>> Move closer to fresh air if possible.
>> If you have asthma, use your inhaler immediately.
>> Sit down or lean against support.
>> Avoid crowding around someone experiencing breathlessness.

Dr Henal Shah, Psychiatry Department, Nair Hospital
Managing panic during emergencies
>> Focus on slow, deep breathing.
>> Count numbers or hum a familiar song.
>> Speak to someone who helps you stay calm.
>> People who remain calm should reassure those around them.

Inputs by Ritika Gondhalekar

Suggestions for New MRVC AC rakes

A retired engineer with the manufacturer Integral Coach

Factory (ICF) suggests: Remote diagnostics and reset: Enable its monitoring and reset without accessing coach-end panels.

Distributed access panels: Provide service panels at multiple locations within the coach.

Cab-based control: Allow the motorman to restart/isolate AC units and enable emergency ventilation.

Fault-tolerant design: Ensure partial cooling continues even if one AC unit fails. (This provision exists, but somehow the mechanism collapsed on Monday).

External access: Position critical controls for maintenance without entering crowded coaches.