Mumbai’s first non-ac local train features automatic sliding doors, improved legroom, CCTV cameras, fire detection systems and emergency communication facilities; check details

Mumbai's suburban railway system is preparing for a major change in how commuters travel, with the arrival of its first non-AC local train featuring automatic doors. The 12-coach rake is designed to make daily journeys safer by eliminating the need to travel beside open doorways, a long-standing concern on the city's overcrowded local trains. However, the train will not be available to passengers immediately, as Central Railway plans to assess its performance through trials before approving regular operations, reported TOI.

The development follows the June 2025 Mumbra train accident, which once again highlighted the risks associated with overcrowding and open doors on suburban services. Although the new system is expected to improve safety, railway authorities will also have to examine whether automatic doors could increase station halts and affect train schedules, particularly during rush hours, reported TOI.

Mumbra accident led to closed-door local trains

The push to introduce automatic doors on Mumbai's non-AC local trains gained momentum after the June 9, 2025, accident between Diva and Mumbra stations. The incident resulted in five deaths, while nine other commuters fell from a moving train.

A five-member committee formed to investigate the accident pointed to overcrowding and open doorways as major contributing factors. It recommended adopting a closed-door mechanism similar to the system used in Metro trains.

The Bombay High Court has also called on railway authorities to consider closed-door trains while hearing matters concerning railway accidents.

Following the accident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans to bring automatic-door non-AC local trains to Mumbai, with an initial target of introducing them by 2026.

New 12-coach train to undergo trials

The first rake has been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now arrived in Mumbai. Before its arrival, the 12-coach train underwent trials along the 63-km Khajuraho-Mahoba railway section.

Central Railway will now test the rake on different stretches of the Mumbai suburban network. Officials will examine its performance and evaluate the trial reports before forwarding it for a fitness certificate, reported TOI.

The train will be considered for passenger services only after completing the required trials and securing the necessary approvals. Despite the earlier 2026 target announced by the Railway Minister, the project is yet to reach the regular service stage.

Louvred Automatic Doors And Roof Ventilators Designed To Improve Airflow

Ensuring proper ventilation inside non-AC compartments has been one of the key challenges in developing local trains with closed doors. The new rake incorporates specific features to maintain airflow without requiring doors to remain open.

Its automatic doors come with louvred panels that allow natural air circulation. Roof-mounted ventilators have also been installed to improve ventilation throughout the coaches.

The train additionally features vestibule connections linking adjoining compartments. These passages will enable commuters to move between coaches, potentially spreading passenger crowds more evenly rather than having them gather around individual doorways.

Will Automatic Doors Increase Waiting Time At Mumbai Local Stations?

The introduction of automatic doors could improve passenger safety, but it may also require changes to the way Mumbai's suburban trains operate.

Unlike conventional local trains, the new rake will need additional time at stations to complete the door-opening and closing process. This could extend halts and put pressure on existing schedules, especially during morning and evening peak hours.

Commuters may also need time to familiarise themselves with the new system. Delays in boarding and alighting, particularly when compartments are crowded, could affect the train's turnaround time at stations.

The door sensors present another operational consideration. If passengers or their belongings obstruct the doors, the mechanism may trigger them to reopen, potentially adding to the time required before a train can depart.

The upcoming trials will therefore be important in determining whether the system can operate efficiently on Mumbai's densely packed suburban routes.

Western Railway's 2019 Automatic-Door Trial Failed To Enter Regular Service

Mumbai has previously experimented with automatic doors on non-AC suburban trains, but the initiative did not translate into regular passenger services.

In 2019, Western Railway retrofitted selected compartments of a 15-coach local train with automatic-door mechanisms. The modifications covered first-class, general, ladies' and differently abled compartments.

The project was undertaken at the Mahalaxmi workshop at an expenditure of Rs 75 lakh. However, the experiment did not advance to regular operations, with ventilation inside the closed compartments emerging as a major hurdle.

The latest rake attempts to overcome that limitation through louvred door panels and roof-mounted ventilators. Its trials will establish whether these changes can provide sufficient airflow while ensuring that the automatic-door system functions effectively under Mumbai's demanding suburban railway conditions.