Women Risk Lives on Footboard After Kalyan Ladies Special Delayed by 40 Minutes

Mumbai, May 13 — A shocking video has gone viral on social media showing women precariously hanging from the footboard of an overcrowded local train during Mumbai’s peak rush hour on Monday. The incident occurred after the Kalyan Ladies Special was delayed by 40 minutes, causing chaos and overcrowding on platforms and inside coaches.

The viral footage, widely circulated on Instagram and shared by user @mumbairailusers on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the extreme risks female commuters are forced to take when local trains are delayed or disrupted. One woman can be seen barely holding onto the footboard of a moving train, risking serious injury.

With trains already packed beyond capacity, the unexpected delay left many commuters with no option but to dangerously cling to the outside of carriages. “We are helpless. Trains are the only way to get to work, and when they’re delayed, there’s no alternative,” said a daily commuter from Dombivli.

Despite repeated warnings by the railway authorities against footboard travel, the incident once again underscores the chronic issues of overcrowding and irregular services that plague Mumbai’s suburban rail network.

Reacting to the video, railway authorities acknowledged the severity of the issue. Officials confirmed that the matter has been escalated to senior departments, and social media handles like @DrmMumbaiCR and @RPFCR have been tagged for immediate attention.

“This is not just about a delay. It’s about the daily dangers commuters, especially women, face just to get to work. Public transport needs to be safe, reliable, and dignified,” said a representative from a local commuters’ rights group.

The incident has reignited calls for urgent reform in the city's suburban transport system, demanding better frequency, additional ladies’ specials, and infrastructure improvements to ensure passenger safety.

As the video continues to draw concern and criticism online, the spotlight is back on the dire need for systemic upgrades in Mumbai’s lifeline — its local trains.