Kalwa-Mumbra Rail Stretch Turns Deadly as Sharp Curves Endanger Commuters

Mumbai, India: Commuters on the Kalwa-Mumbra-Diva rail stretch are facing serious safety risks due to sharp curves that cause overcrowded coaches to tilt, pushing passengers near the doors out of moving trains. A formal complaint was lodged with the Railway Ministry and Central Railway (CR) by Diva-based commuter Anand Maruti Patil, highlighting the frequent accidents and fatalities.

Patil’s complaint states that sudden jerks on curved tracks near Parsik Tunnel, Mumbra, and Diva are leading to passengers falling off, resulting in severe injuries and deaths. In 2023 alone, 68 passengers lost their lives in such incidents under the Thane railway police jurisdiction.

A CR spokesperson acknowledged the issue but cited land constraints as a reason for the curves, making straightening the tracks difficult. Commuter activist Siddhesh Desai urged authorities to expedite the Kalwa-Airoli rail link and construct a new Parsik station to reduce congestion.

Passenger association member Subhash Gupta has called for an investigation by the Railway Accident Monitoring Committee and speed limits to be implemented on dangerous curves.