Mira Road: The grim reality of overcrowded suburban rail network came into sharp focus again after four passengers reportedly fell to their deaths between Diva and Mumbra stations. The incident has reignited safety concerns among commuters, especially those traveling daily from the Virar Dahisar belt to Churchgate.

According to official data, a staggering 284 people lost their lives in railway accidents between Mira Road and Vaitarna stations in the past 18 months (January 2024 – June 2025). Of these, 171 deaths were due to collisions with moving trains, while 61 people died after falling from overcrowded local trains. An additional 52 fatalities occurred due to other causes.

The stretch, which spans 31 km and includes seven stations, falls under the jurisdiction of the Vasai Railway Police. The problem is compounded by the sheer volume of daily passengers.

Between 12 to 15 lakh commuters travel from stations like Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai, and Naigaon toward South Mumbai. Nalasopara alone accounts for the highest footfall in the region. On average, 224 non-AC and 57 AC train services operate daily on this route. However, the growing rush leaves many passengers with no option but to travel precariously by hanging from train doors.

In addition to fatalities, 286 passengers were injured in railway accidents on this stretch during the same period. Of these, 180 were injured after falling from moving trains.

Commuter groups have criticized the Railway authorities for not involving the public in planning and surveys. “Any schedule changes or expansions must be made in consultation with regular commuters,” said women’s commuter rights activist Mridula Khedekar. She added that crowd management cannot be left to the Railways alone; state and local authorities must intervene with coordinated infrastructure planning.