MUMBAI: A 40-year-old commuter died after falling on the tracks at Borivli railway station during evening peak hours on Thursday.

Alan Rosario, a resident of Nalasopara (West), was on platform 1 to board a Virar train at 8.15pm. Alan, who worked for a private firm in Malad, boarded a slow train there and reached Borivli in time for the connecting train. As the Virar train pulled in, Alan along with other commuters got ready to board it. But he landed on the tracks between the first-class compartment and the one reserved for the handicapped.

His wife Josline, a teacher, was informed about the accident by the Borivli GRP.

Police said Alan may have slipped onto the tracks while trying to jump into the moving train. However, family members said Alan had been commuting by train for over 25 years and never took a risk. “The crowding in trains is becoming unbearable. Till a person returns, everyone at home stays worried,” said Alan’s cousin Charlie Rosario.

The rake had to be moved ahead for the body to be taken out. The body was handed over to the family after autopsy on Friday morning. The family alleged delay in getting the body. “Police refused to hand over the body to me and wanted an NOC from Alan’s wife or parents,” said his elder brother Nilesh. The NOC reached the police by late night. Further delay was caused in getting the road permit to carry the body to Nalasopara.

Charlie said the police should be more sensitive in dealing with families of rail victims. “When Alan’s brother was claiming the body, where was the need for an NOC from his wife or parents? They were not in a frame of mind to give the NOC,” said Charlie.

Both WR and CR have set up committees to review the rise in accident deaths after instructions from the railway minister. CR has decided to introduce 40 services, including 11 on the Main line between Kurla-Kalyan to reduce over-crowding in trains. On the other hand, WR plans to increase more 15-car services, besides extending the run of several services from Borivli to Virar.

Also, there are plans to modify the seating arrangements by reducing the number of seats in coaches so that more passengers can be accommodated per coach.