Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway Receives Modified Automatic-Door Non-AC Local Prototype For Fresh Safety Trials

Mumbai's Central Railway has obtained a revamped prototype of a non-AC local train equipped with automatic doors, as part of efforts to enhance passenger safety on the city's suburban railway network. The coach, crafted at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, has arrived in Mumbai after undergoing technical modifications. It is now poised to undergo fresh safety trials before being deemed fit for passenger operations.

Simultaneously, the original prototype, now stationed at Kurla car shed, will be dispatched to Chennai for any required adjustments, according to senior officials from Central Railway.

This development follows technical issues identified during the initial safety trials of the first prototype, held in August. The issues were flagged by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), prompting the rake to be returned to ICF for further tweaks. The preliminary trials had been carried out on the 63.27-km stretch between Khajuraho and Mahoba, in the Jhansi division, along the border between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The two prototype non-AC rakes were designed at ICF as part of a plan to introduce automatic-door suburban trains in Mumbai. The announcement of this initiative was made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in June 2025, in the aftermath of a train accident that occurred between Diva and Mumbra. The incident, which took place in June 2025, underscored the ongoing safety hazards faced by commuters near open train doors.

The upgraded rake will undergo a battery of technical and safety assessments before it can be cleared for passenger service. Among the critical tests is the Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR), which scrutinizes vibrations, coach movements, running stability, and passenger comfort at different speeds. The tests will also focus on the interaction between wheels and tracks, as well as the normal and emergency braking systems, acceleration, suspension, bogie performance, electrical systems, and the functionality of automatic doors.

The train's design is based on the existing coach design of AC local trains, necessitating extensive testing before its introduction.

However, the arrival of the modified rake does not imply an immediate switch to closed-door non-AC locals for Mumbai commuters. The train must first pass all prescribed trials and safety inspections, followed by the necessary fitness certification. Only after the test results prove satisfactory will the process of integrating it into regular passenger service commence.

While the automatic-door system is anticipated to mitigate the risk of passengers falling from moving trains, a prevalent safety concern on Mumbai's densely populated suburban network, commuters will have to await the completion of testing and approval before they can benefit from this upgrade.