Mumbai suburban trains probably claim more lives than terror attacks in the country. Every year, more than 15,000 passengers die in accidents on suburban services and most of the deaths occur in the Mumbai region, which records around 6,000 deaths every year. The shocking figures have been disclosed by the Public Accounts Committee of the Railways, which tabled its report in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Another appalling fact that has come on record is that more than 50 per cent deaths on suburban train system is due to trespassing. On the Mumbai division of suburban railways, 52 per cent deaths occur due to trespassing. The committee also found that till July, 31, 2016 a staggering number of 37,699 accident claims were pending with the Railways and that maximum number of pendency was reported from Lucknow and Mumbai, which had 9,359 and 6,055 cases pending.

The suburban train services are meant for short distances travel, usually upto 150 kms to facilitate rapid movement of passengers within cities. The Railways also admitted before the committee that another major reason for accidents is falling off from trains. These deaths occur during boarding and de-boarding of trains because of gaps between trains and platforms. Considering the deplorable condition of suburban train services which carry more than 72 per cent of total train passengers, the committee has made a series of recommendations to improve the system.

The committee directed the Railways to finish construction of foot over bridges, fencing of walls to eliminate line crossing, escalators at all 578 suburban section of Railways within four months. The report noted that the Railways has admitted to significant improvement in the Mumbai suburban route by construction of foot over bridges. It noted that Mumbai division (Western and Central) had committed to the task of raising the height of all 83 platforms in Central Railway and 145 platforms in Western Railway by June, this year.

To bring down accidents on suburban system, the committee recommended redesigning of coaches, automatic doors, and increase in number of coaches to 15 to deal with the problem of overcrowding. Acknowledging that suburban rail system of Mumbai needs special attention, the committee has recommended setting up of emergency medical centres within six months at all Mumbai suburban stations. "The committee recommends that Mumbai suburban stations be equipped with all facilities and with request being made to the state government to deploy registered medical practitioners there on 24 hour basis."

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