MP Shrikant Shinde Calls For Urgent Rail Infrastructure Overhaul After Four Dead In Thane Train Mishap

Mumbai: Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde has voiced deep sorrow over the tragic death of four commuters in a railway accident between Diva and Kopar stations in Thane district on Monday morning. The incident, which also left six injured, has renewed urgent calls for upgrading Mumbai’s overburdened suburban rail infrastructure.

According to officials, the accident occurred during peak office hours when two overcrowded local trains crossed each other on a sharp curve near Mumbra. Passengers hanging from the footboards reportedly fell after their backpacks brushed against those on the passing train. Among the deceased was a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable.

Shinde, who visited the injured at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa along with Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, described the incident as a consequence of chronic overcrowding and insufficient infrastructure on the Kalyan-Kasara corridor.

“There is a sharp curve near Mumbra station. When two local trains on the Up (towards CSMT) and Down (towards Thane and beyond) passed simultaneously, some passengers hanging from the footboards either fell off or were crushed inside the coaches. The Kalyan-Karjat (which goes towards Pune) belt suffers from extreme congestion,” Shinde said.

He emphasized the need for introducing fast local services from Diva to CSMT and expediting the construction of the third and fourth tracks beyond Kalyan. “Land acquisition is underway, but given the rising commuter volumes, we need faster execution,” he added.

Shinde also recommended upgrading 12-coach trains to 15-coach rakes to accommodate the growing number of passengers and prevent further tragedies. The mishap has once again brought attention to the perils of overcrowded suburban trains and the pressing need for comprehensive rail infrastructure reforms in Mumbai’s extended metropolitan region.