13 April,2026 09:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The closed-door non-AC train at Kurla car shed on Monday. Pic/Special Arrangement by Rajendra B. Aklekar
The first non-air-conditioned (non-AC) automatic door-closing EMU local on Monday arrived at the Kurla car shed in Mumbai, marking a key step in the city's suburban railway upgrade plan.
The new train is part of efforts to improve safety and commuter experience on the city's busy suburban network.
The newly introduced EMU rake features a door-closing system aimed at reducing accidents caused by overcrowding and passengers travelling on open doorways.
The system is designed to enhance safety during peak-hour travel, when Mumbai's suburban trains are heavily crowded.
Read more: Mumbai local gets automatic doors in first for non-AC suburban trains
The new rake, developed after the Mumbra incident, is aimed at improving passenger safety by preventing falls from open doors.
The 12-car train is manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
Railway officials had earlier stated that the move is part of a broader policy shift to introduce closed-door systems across all future suburban trains, both AC and non-AC.
Mid-Day had earlier reported about the city soon to receive India's first non-AC suburban local train with automatic door closure, marking a significant shift in the design of the city's lifeline trains.
This is the first time a non-AC local train with automatic doors has been developed for Mumbai's suburban network and for Indian Railways.
The rake has been designed following consultations between the Railway Board.
The new non-AC door-closing suburban train arrived in Mumbai on Monday, featuring several upgraded facilities. A first-hand inspection by Mid-Day at the Kurla carshed revealed that the train retains its segregated compartments while offering larger windows, forced ventilation, increased leg space, and significantly bigger luggage compartments.
One of the immediate concerns is that coach alignments may differ from existing trains due to the technical design of the new rake. This could lead to last-minute confusion and passenger scrambling on platforms. Additionally, there are apprehensions that the door opening and closing mechanism may impact train halt times and potentially cause delays.
The train is divided into six-coach units connected by vestibules. It includes internal partitions to clearly separate ladies, first-class, and general compartments. Dedicated coaches for persons with disabilities have also been incorporated.
The rake, numbered 268201-268212, is the first of its kind on Indian Railways.
The coaches are built on an AC EMU shell but are configured to maintain class segregation, including first class (with cushioned seating), ladies compartments, and accessible sections. Despite being vestibule-connected, physical partitions ensure separation between categories.
Wider Windows: The train features significantly larger windows measuring 1,900 mm, compared to 900 mm in existing trains. These include sliding glass panels similar to buses.
Improved Ventilation: Each coach is equipped with two high-capacity blowers, each supplying 10,000 cubic metres of air per hour, ensuring better airflow.
More Legroom: Increased space between seats enhances passenger comfort, along with a wider gangway for easier movement.
Larger Luggage Areas: The luggage compartments at both ends of the train are twice the size of those in current suburban trains.
Closed Doors with Ventilation: The train features closed doors with glass panels on top and louvered (slatted) designs, allowing air circulation while improving passenger safety.
