Mumbai local gets automatic doors in first for non-AC suburban trains

A first for Mumbai and Indian Railways

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.

Automatic sliding doors on the new non-AC train. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The rake, numbered 268201–268212, has been designed following consultations between the Railway Board and the Integral Coach Factory, with intervention from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

“From the safety of commuters in Mumbai, it is very important that local trains operating in the city have closed doors. It has now been decided that all trains manufactured for Mumbai will have closed doors,” an official said.

Explainer: How ventilation will work

>> Roof-mounted blowers push fresh air into coaches
>> Two air-intake units per coach
>> Louvred doors and windows allow airflow
>> Designed to replace open-door ventilation
>> Aims to reduce suffocation in crowded conditions

Closed-door system installed on Mumbai’s first non-AC suburban local train

Concerns over water ingress

>> In earlier trains, ventilation systems had faced issues due to water ingress during heavy rains.
>> Officials said the new system includes anti-water ingress features to ensure rainwater does not enter the coaches.

Train at a glance

Type: Non-AC suburban local with automatic doors
Rake number: 268201–268212
Configuration: 12-car EMU
Manufacturer: Integral Coach Factory, Chennai
Status: En route to Mumbai via Wadi
Policy shift: Closed doors for all future locals

Train design

>> The train features a vestibule design, allowing movement across six connected coaches within each unit and will have open windows with sliding panes.
>> This creates a seamless layout, unlike traditional compartmentalised locals. 
The ladies coach is expected to be located at either end of the train.

Ventilation:

The key challenge
>> One of the biggest concerns with closed-door non-AC trains is ventilation.
>> To address this, the new rake uses a forced ventilation system with roof-mounted blowers that push fresh air into the coaches. Each coach will have two such units.
>> Additionally, louvred (slatted) doors and windows have been introduced to allow airflow even when doors remain closed.
>> Officials said the system is designed to reduce carbon dioxide build-up and maintain airflow in high-density conditions.

It includes:
>> Door-driver interlocking system
>> Sensors and talkback system
>> Passenger information displays
>> Enhanced ventilation systems

Cost and upgrade
Cost: 10-15 per cent higher than standard locals
Upgrade focus: Safety, ventilation and passenger information systems

Journey to Mumbai

The rake has been dispatched from Perambur in Chennai and is travelling to Mumbai via Renigunta as an empty EMU special.
Central Railway will receive the train at Wadi station in the Solapur division before bringing it to Mumbai. It is likely to arrive within days.

Trials before passenger service

The train will undergo mandatory trials before it can be opened to passengers.
These include:
>> Confirmatory oscillograph car run (COCR) at 110 kmph to assess safety and ride quality
>> Load trials using weighted material equivalent to passenger load
>> Passenger trials before final induction
Officials said the process may take a few months.

Commuters speak

Siddhesh Desai, vice president of Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh
‘We welcome the introduction of non-AC Mumbai local trains with closed doors as a crucial step towards reducing railway accidents and improving commuter safety. However, safety must be approached holistically. Adequate first class, divyang (handicapped), and luggage compartments must continue to be ensured. Closed-door systems alone will not be sufficient unless supported by automated entry and exit systems similar to metro rail networks. We strongly recommend enhanced station security, better platform management, and the implementation of CBTC signalling for improved train control and frequency. Passenger awareness campaigns, strict crowd regulation during peak hours, and emergency response readiness are equally important. A comprehensive, commuter-centric approach will ensure Mumbai’s lifeline becomes safer, smarter, and more efficient for all’

Devraj Malekar, commuter
‘The current rakes running on the Mumbai suburban network have open partitions primarily to allow air inflow from the doors and circulation inside the coach. The partitions also have openings from below, unlike the completely closed partitions in older DC EMUs. Even under a crushing load, forced ventilation is not sufficient, but air still circulates through the open doors. Now the railways are closing these doors in a non-AC train. I can’t imagine what the situation will be. Also, if the AC EMU rake design is being used, they should have gone ahead with an underslung design, which could have increased rake capacity by almost 1.5 additional coaches’

Vijay Aravamudhan, commuter
‘The introduction of this non-AC closed-door 12-car rake will bring a mixed bag of challenges for the Central Railway Mumbai suburban network, which is already affected by a disrupted timetable, with EMUs running with average delays of 25 minutes. While closed doors will improve safety, several issues can be expected:

The orientation of luggage and ladies’ compartments may change, leading to confusion.
Closing doors during peak hours may be challenging and could further delay services.
If first class is not included, it will add to peak-hour chaos.

This move is likely to receive mixed acceptance.”