Western Railway local train door comes loose near Borivli, raises concerns over Mumbai suburban fleet

Passengers trying to put the door back in its place. Pic/By Special Arrangement

In what can be called a case of gross negligence, the door of a Western Railway local train came loose while it was near Borivli on Saturday afternoon, raising fresh questions over the maintenance standards of Mumbai's suburban train fleet.

The failure of a critical safety component such as a coach door while the train was in service has also raised concerns about inspection protocols and the overall health of the ageing suburban fleet.

The incident involved train no. 92087/92106, (Borivli-Virar train) around 12.21 pm with the affected coach bearing number 2270B.

Visuals from the scene showed the coach door hanging precariously at an angle as anxious passengers and railway staff gathered around the compartment. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

A Western Railway official said the defective door was temporarily attended to and secured on the line, allowing the train to continue its journey. The train has since been scheduled to be taken to the carshed for detailed inspection and permanent repairs.

The incident has once again put the spotlight on the upkeep of Mumbai's suburban trains, with commuters questioning whether adequate preventive maintenance is being carried out on coaches that ferry over seven million passengers every day.

Western Railway spokesperson confirmed the incident to Sunday mid-day and said the door was fixed promptly. WR officials said they will investigate the cause of the failure and determine whether it resulted from a mechanical defect, wear and tear, or inadequate maintenance.

Commuter Groups

Siddhesh Desai, vice-president, Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh
"The recent incident of a train door getting dismantled while the train was in motion is a serious warning sign. It clearly indicates that maintenance and inspection standards need urgent strengthening. Such failures can lead to catastrophic accidents, especially on Mumbai's overcrowded suburban network. At the same time, there are growing concerns that excessive union politics and lack of effective supervision have affected accountability. Senior railway officers must ensure strict quality control, regular safety audits, and personal accountability for maintenance lapses. Passenger safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances"

Subhash Gupta, Yatri Sangh Mumbai
"Every day, lakhs of commuters travel standing at the doors due to overcrowding. If a door itself develops a fault while the train is running, it could have resulted in a major tragedy. Maintenance standards need an urgent review."

Shailesh Goyal former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee.
"The Railways appear to be focusing heavily on expanding AC local services, with more and more non-AC rakes being converted. AC trains require longer maintenance time than conventional rakes, putting additional pressure on the already limited maintenance windows for the remaining non-AC fleet. We have also noticed electrical control panel doors inside coaches often left open, posing an injury risk to passengers. During the monsoon, every suburban rake - especially pantographs"