The Central Railway is set to receive two new non-AC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rakes equipped with automatic doors and vestibules from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, by the end of March 2026. The rakes are expected to be introduced on the suburban network from April 2026, following a series of trials.
The rakes were developed following the Mumbra local train accident on June 9, 2025, in which four passengers were killed and several others injured. The accident occurred when commuters, many travelling on footboards or hanging onto open doors, fell as two trains passed each other near Mumbra station in Thane district. The incident highlighted safety risks associated with overcrowded non-AC suburban trains operating with open doors during peak hours.
In response, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed ICF to design rakes prioritising passenger safety. The prototype features automatic door-closing mechanisms to prevent passengers from leaning out or boarding moving trains, ventilated door louvres and roof-mounted fans to maintain airflow, and vestibules between coaches to allow passengers to move safely and redistribute crowds during peak hours.
“The ICF will deliver the prototype by the end of March and after that Central Railway will conduct multiple trials on the prototype to come to a conclusion,” said Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway.
The rakes were ordered shortly after the Mumbra accident and are expected to undergo comprehensive testing before being deployed in revenue service. Once approved, they will mark a significant safety upgrade for the Central Railway suburban network, which carries more than 70 lakh passengers daily.
