Overcrowding in unreserved train coaches has once again come into sharp focus at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), as passengers grapple with packed compartments and unsafe travel conditions during the peak travel season. (Pics/Ashish Raje)
Updated On: 2026-05-03 05:28 PM IST
Compiled by : Anushree Gaikwad
The situation is particularly acute during weekends and vacation periods, when a surge in passenger numbers leads to a sharp rise in demand for unreserved travel
Many travellers, especially those unable to secure reserved tickets at short notice, are left with no option but to board general coaches, which often operate far beyond their intended capacity
The issue of overcrowding in general bogies is not new, but it continues to highlight broader challenges in India’s railway infrastructure, including capacity constraints and uneven distribution of resources
On May 2, visuals from the Mumbai–Latur–Bidar Express and the Mandovi Express (10103) showed general (unreserved) bogies filled beyond capacity, with passengers struggling to find standing space, let alone seats
As the summer travel rush continues, the scenes at CSMT serve as a reminder of the urgent need for long-term solutions to ensure safer and more comfortable journeys for millions of daily rail passengers.
