Andheri Borivali Bandra stations shortlisted for railway access control
Mumbai’s Andheri, Borivali, and Bandra Terminus railway stations may soon get Metro-style access control systems as part of a Western Railway (WR) pilot project aimed at improving commuter safety and managing overcrowding.
The stations are among 12 shortlisted across WR’s network following a directive from the Railway Board to explore controlled entry at high-footfall locations. The initiative is a response to growing concerns over stampedes and congestion at major Indian railway stations. If implemented, entry to platforms at the selected stations would be restricted to valid ticket holders via electronic gates, similar to the access systems used in urban Metro networks. A WR spokesperson confirmed that the Railway Board had requested suggestions from each zone. “We have proposed 12 stations based on daily footfall, including these three in Mumbai,” the spokesperson said. With daily traffic of 4.17 lakh at Andheri, 4.54 lakh at Borivali, and 40,000 at Bandra Terminus, officials believe these stations are ideal for a pilot run.
The plan aims to prevent unauthorised entry, manage crowd flow, reduce ticketless travel, and enhance emergency response times. Though still at the preliminary proposal stage, the system—if sanctioned—could represent a major shift in how Indian railways manage public access at major urban junctions. Besides Mumbai, WR has named stations in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh for potential inclusion, such as Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Ujjain. “The access control model is intended to improve commuter experience and safety. Details on funding, infrastructure, and timelines will be worked out after the Railway Board’s nod,” the spokesperson added.
As of now, there is no confirmation on the timeline or technical details of the system. If approved, the project may serve as a template for future upgrades at other congested stations nationwide.
