Mumbai’s critically strained suburban railway system, an already approved, innovative plan to operate special out-of-timetable trains on a circuitous route remains unimplemented by Central Railway (CR) officials. This bureaucratic inertia is stark, especially following the recent Mumbra tragedy, which tragically claimed five lives, and against the backdrop of alarming fatality rates on the network. Passenger associations are vehemently questioning why this technically feasible solution, designed to alleviate congestion and enhance safety, is being sidelined, despite its potential to significantly benefit millions of daily commuters and contribute to a more sustainable urban transport ecosystem.
The proposed “circuitous route” is a conceptually robust solution aimed at decongesting Mumbai’s saturated railway network. Currently, long-distance trains entering the city’s termini, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), intersect with suburban traffic, occupy precious platform space, and require time-consuming engine reversals and coach parking. Crucially, statistics indicate that a substantial 60-70 per cent of passengers from these long-distance services alight at Kalyan, rendering trains nearly empty by the time they reach the city’s main termini. The proposed plan suggests that these trains, arriving via Kasara, would terminate at Kalyan and then proceed via Pune back to their originating destination, bypassing the congested final stretch to Mumbai’s central hubs.
Proponents argue that this strategy would dramatically cut the turnaround period of long-distance trains, freeing up crucial “paths” for the overburdened local train services. Siddhesh Desai of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, a prominent passenger advocacy group, asserts, “If it is benefiting the Mumbai suburban rail network, the railways should experiment with it and allow stakeholders to decide. They should try out the experiment and assess the situation whether it can work out on a larger scale.” This pragmatic approach underscores the urgency given the persistent issue of overcrowding, which railway officials often cite as the reason for an inability to add more local services, despite the network’s continuous expansion.
The human cost of the existing saturation is tragically evident. Between January and December 2024, the Mumbai suburban railway network reported 2,468 deaths and 2,697 injuries, with falling from overcrowded trains accounting for a significant proportion of these casualties. A staggering 570 people died in 2024 alone due to falling from moving local trains, with Kalyan recording the highest number of such fatalities at 116. This grim reality underscores the immediate need for innovative solutions that can enhance passenger safety and operational efficiency. The proposed circuitous route, by preventing long-distance trains from intersecting with suburban traffic paths, offers a direct means to mitigate these risks.
Beyond immediate safety, the plan carries significant implications for sustainable urban mobility. By optimising train movements and reducing terminal congestion, it can indirectly contribute to lower carbon emissions from idling trains and more efficient resource utilisation within the railway system. Furthermore, the proposal highlights that essential maintenance tasks like cleanliness and watering can be done “on the go,” avoiding the current four to six-hour waits at termini. Technically, a train requires maintenance only after crossing 4,000 km, a parameter well within the proposed circuitous route’s distance, affirming its operational feasibility for immediate pilot implementation on at least two routes.
The continued inaction on an already approved, technically sound, and safety-enhancing proposal represents a concerning administrative lapse. It signifies a disconnect between the urgent needs of the city’s commuters and the decision-making apparatus within the Central Railway. For Mumbai to truly evolve into an eco-friendly, sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable metropolis, its foundational public transport system must be responsive, agile, and prioritise the well-being of its citizens. The time has come for the Central Railway to “bell the cat” and initiate this crucial experiment, allowing data-driven insights to guide its broader implementation and secure a safer, more efficient future for Mumbai’s lifeline.
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