Mumbai's lone Metro is becoming another local train during peak hours — one with crush load. The rate at which commuter crowd has been increasing is evident from the kind of complaints and grumbling circulating on social media platforms. Besides longer queues at the scanners on Metro stations, the trains have been running completely packed. Transport experts have said it is time the four-car rake was converted into a six-coach one.

Inaugurated on June 8, 2014, the 11-km Mumbai Metro One has witnessed immense growth. In fact, in its own admission, a note earlier this year said the growth has been faster than expected. “Year after year, Mumbaikars are using Mumbai Metro One as their preferred choice of daily commute. It took 398 days to achieve its first 100 million [mark], 388 days to achieve its second 100 million ridership, while its third 100 million mark was achieved in just 337 days. The fourth 100 million ridership has been achieved in only 300 days,” the note read, adding that the company had “redefined MRTS commuter experience in the country”. The “redefining”, however, is what seems to have led to the immense crowding, with it increasingly taking longer to get in and get out of stations. Also, there is hardly any space to stand in the train.