Second train stabbing in 5 months raises safety concerns on Mumbai locals

The spot at Malad railway station where college professor Alok Singh was stabbed on January 25. File pic/Satej Shinde

The stabbing onboard a local train is the second such incident in five months, raising serious concerns over safety on Mumbai's suburban railway network. The two attacks have renewed demands for stronger security measures. Many such confrontations begin over trivial issues - space near doors, seating disputes, or boarding and alighting - but quickly escalate into serious violence, highlighting the need for better surveillance and faster intervention.

Safety demand

Commuter organisations and activists have called for enhanced safety measures, including passenger screening. "The horrific murder of a commuter inside Mumbai's lifeline local train exposes the complete failure of passenger security. Millions travel daily without effective surveillance, security personnel or rapid response systems. Ironically, expensive baggage scanners and metal detectors worth lakhs of rupees have been installed at several stations, including Thane, but remain unused or poorly enforced. Unlike airports and Metro systems, anyone carrying knives or weapons can still easily enter the suburban railway network," said Siddhesh Desai, vice president, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh.

Shailesh Goyal, former member of the National Railway Users Consultative Committee

Desai said Railways cannot continue prioritising ticket-checking over passenger safety and called for artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV monitoring, operational weapon detection systems, automatic door-closing trains and increased security deployment.

Door issues

"Door closing in the rainy season is a minor issue compared to many other problems that can trigger violence in trains. Blocking the gates is one of the main causes. Such incidents can be reduced if all trains are converted into AC or non-AC door-closing rakes. It is now time to post an RPF personnel in every rake," said Shailesh Goyal, former member of the National Railway Users Consultative Committee.

Visible security

Rajiv Singal, member of Western Railway Mumbai's Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee

"Nowadays, people are losing their temperament very early. Security in local trains is very poor and needs to be visible so passengers think twice before indulging in violence," said Rajiv Singal, member of Western Railway Mumbai's Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee.

Malad attack

In January, college professor Alok Singh was allegedly stabbed to death following a dispute with fellow commuter Omkar Shinde on a local train. As the train approached Malad, an argument broke out over alighting through the crowded compartment gates. The verbal spat soon turned violent. After stepping onto the platform, Shinde allegedly pulled out a sharp object and stabbed Singh multiple times in the abdomen before fleeing. He was later tracked down by the government railway police.