'We saw them between two tracks': 4 dead in Thane mishap; not sure how many fell from two trains, say railway officials
THANE: Some activists said overcrowding combined with the platform curve may have led to eight commuters simultaneously falling off two local fast trains going in opposite directions at Mumbra station Monday morning.
Central Railway, however, clarified the incident did not occur on the curve. Some speculated that scuffles inside compartments might have been a cause.
About the scratch marks found on the exterior of the last coach of the CSMT-bound train involved in the incident, a CR official said the rake was taken to Kalwa car shed to ascertain if the marks were sustained during the incident or were pre-existing.
Those dead were identified as Ketan Saroj (23), a BPO employee and resident of Ulhasnagar, Vicky Mukhyadal (34), a railway policeman returning home to Kalyan from duty, Rahul Gupta (27) from Diva, and Mayur Shah (44) from Thane.
The nine injured were Priyanka Bhatia (26) from Shahad; Sneha Dhonde (21) from Titwala; Adesh Bhoir (26) from Kasara; Rihan Shaikh (26) from Bhiwandi; Tushar Bhagat (22) from Titwala; Manish Saroj (26) from Diva; Machhindra Gotarne (39) from Vashind; and Shiva Gavli (23) and Anil More (40). They were all admitted to Jupiter Hospital.
It was not clear how many people fell from each of the trains, railway officials said.
Of the four dead, though, Mukhyadal was in the Karjat-bound train and two others – Saroj and Gupta -- were in the CSMT bound local; it is not yet clear which train Shah fell off.
Sources said the guard of the Kasara–CSMT train raised an alarm after spotting passengers lying between the tracks. Eyewitnesses at Mumbra described a horrific scene with injured commuters lying in the gap between the up and down fast lines. Commuters and cops immediately jumped onto the tracks to help.
Commuter Deepak Shirsat said crowding at Diva led to intense footboard pressure, causing his friend to fall. 'We tried pulling the chain, but it didn't stop the train,' he said.
CR's chief PRO Nila said, 'Of the nine injured, five were hurt while travelling inside the compartment, and four fell off the train. All were shifted to nearby hospitals.'
A CR official said, 'This is an unheard-of incident in the history of Mumbai's suburban system.
There are incidents of people falling down but these are isolated. It is shocking 8 people fell at the same time.' He said the gap between two passing trains is 2 m or 6.5 ft. It means a person has to be hanging out by 3.5 ft to have collided with a passenger from opposite train. 'This is indeed baffling,' he said.
The railways have now decided to introduce non-AC locals with automatic door closure and enhanced ventilation features by Jan 2026.
Parallelly, they have initiated procurement of 238 AC locals. Tenders for AC rakes were floated and cancelled for 'administrative reasons' two years ago.
On the sharp curve theory,commuter activist Rafique Shaikh said, 'Load often shifts to one side due to the curve, making it hard for footboard travellers to hold on.'
CM Devendra Fadnavis said railways have begun an investigation. State minister Girish Mahajan announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for kin of each of the deceased and free medical care for the injured.
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