Diva Junction, one of the busiest stations on Mumbai’s suburban network, sits at a key junction where ten rail lines converge. Around 70 to 75 percent of the 894 daily services on the Central Railway’s main line stop here. Each day, the level crossing at Diva is opened nearly 40 times, allowing roughly 9 lakh vehicles to move between the station’s east and west sides.
The result is regular interruptions to train schedules, especially during peak hours, compounding the pressure on already overcrowded coaches. According to railway data, these stoppages delay trains by an average of 5 to 7 minutes per incident—rising to 8 to 12 minutes during rush hours. Over a 10-month period in the 2024–25 fiscal year, more than 2,500 services were delayed directly due to the crossing. Officials say that such disruptions are a leading cause of the dangerous overcrowding that commuters face daily, including incidents like Monday’s fatal accident. Central Railway has long pushed for the closure of this crossing by building an ROB to enable seamless vehicular movement. While the railways have completed their structural work, the approach roads—vital for connecting either side of the bridge—remain unfinished. This has stalled the project’s commissioning. Letters have been sent to the state government and municipal authorities urging swift action to complete the remaining civil work.
Thane Municipal Corporation, tasked with building the approach roads, faces significant hurdles. On the western side, nearly 300 metres of land is required, and although eight structures have already been demolished to make way for support pillars, acquisition remains incomplete. On the eastern side, a public escalator constructed by the railways now obstructs access for cranes needed to launch the bridge girders. TMC has indicated that land negotiations are ongoing, and it has sought approval for compulsory acquisition should residents resist further. Officials within TMC claim the alignment of the ROB has been revised multiple times to minimise the impact on buildings and residents. Meetings have been held with local stakeholders to find common ground, but without timely resolution, the project could remain indefinitely stalled. TMC has promised to complete its portion of the work within six months once all clearances and land are secured.
Meanwhile, overcrowding on Mumbai’s suburban trains continues to be one of the most dangerous elements of the city’s public transport. While systemic upgrades—such as automatic door coaches—are on the horizon, they are years away from full implementation. In the short term, resolving infrastructural chokepoints like the Diva level crossing is critical to decongesting platforms and improving commuter safety. What is at stake is not merely operational efficiency but human lives. As Mumbai continues to grow, sustainable and inclusive urban mobility must take precedence. Delays in closing the Diva crossing and completing the ROB not only slow down the city but expose commuters to unnecessary risks. Resolving this should not be a bureaucratic battle, but a public urgency.
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