Mumbai’s bustling railway network is on track for a major technological upgrade. Andheri, Borivali, and Bandra Terminus—three of the city’s busiest railway stations—have been shortlisted for a high-security, controlled access pilot project, set to transform the way commuters navigate station premises.
This initiative, proposed by the Western Railway (WR) under a national directive, will introduce metro-style entry systems that only allow passengers with valid tickets to access station platforms. The plan is in its preliminary phase, with a proposal already submitted to the Railway Board, which had instructed all zones to identify high-footfall stations for implementation. Western Railway responded by shortlisting 12 stations, including these three key Mumbai nodes, based on daily congestion data.
The concept is simple but powerful: electronic gates, similar to those in metro stations, will regulate entry and exit by verifying tickets digitally. This access control system aims to eliminate unauthorised entry, reduce overcrowding, and facilitate faster emergency responses—an increasingly vital need in the wake of past stampedes and safety concerns.With a staggering daily footfall of 4.54 lakh at Borivali, 4.17 lakh at Andheri, and around 40,000 at Bandra Terminus, these stations often witness unmanageable crowd surges during peak hours and festival seasons. WR officials believe that implementing access control at such critical junctions will be instrumental in mitigating risks and enhancing the commuter experience.
“Controlled access will not only improve security but also help in reducing ticketless travel and managing large-scale crowd movements more efficiently,” said a senior WR spokesperson. While the timeline and implementation blueprint are yet to be finalised, the plan is to first launch the system on a pilot basis, gather operational insights, and then expand it across other high-density stations in India.The access control model also represents a forward step in creating sustainable and equitable public transport ecosystems. By ensuring only legitimate travellers use station infrastructure, authorities can make more informed decisions on services, upgrades, and staffing. Moreover, managing footfall digitally supports energy conservation and better resource allocation—fitting seamlessly into smart city frameworks and zero-emission urban mobility goals.
Outside Mumbai, other shortlisted stations include transport hubs across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh—such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Ujjain and Sehore—highlighting a broader regional focus on upgrading railway infrastructure with smart surveillance and access systems.However, the project is not without its challenges. Commuter groups have raised questions about whether the new gates might cause bottlenecks, especially during power failures or if entry points are insufficient. WR officials have assured that contingency plans and backup mechanisms will be part of the infrastructure blueprint to avoid such disruptions.
As Indian Railways evolves to meet the demands of growing urban populations, this pilot could set a precedent for future upgrades. If successfully implemented, Mumbai’s high-security rail stations may become a national model—showing how technology can deliver safer, more efficient, and environmentally conscious transport solutions in the heart of India’s financial capital.
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