The 12-coach rake was built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. Mumbai’s first non-AC suburban local train equipped with automatic doors has arrived in the city. It will undergo trials on different sections of the Mumbai suburban railway network before being considered for passenger operations.
The system is being introduced following safety concerns over passengers falling from moving suburban trains. The new non-AC local train features automatic doors that remain closed while the train is in motion. Automatic doors have so far been restricted to Mumbai’s AC local trains. The new rake has been modified to ensure ventilation even when its doors remain closed. Its doors feature louvred panels to allow natural airflow inside the coaches. Roof-mounted ventilators have also been provided to improve air circulation.
Mumbai’s first non-AC automatic-door local train arrives for safety trials: 12-coach rake, ventilation features and key changes for Mumbai suburban railway passengers
The 12-coach non-AC local train features vestibule connections between coaches. The rake had earlier undergone trials on the 63-km Khajuraho-Mahoba section. These connections will allow passengers to move from one coach to another. The arrangement is part of the train’s design as it prepares for trials on Mumbai’s suburban network. After arriving in Mumbai, the non-AC automatic-door train will be tested on different sections of the suburban network. Following the Mumbai trials, it will be submitted for a fitness certificate before being considered for passenger services. The introduction of automatic doors could affect the time required for trains to halt at stations. Doors will need to open and close fully at every stop. Heavy passenger movement near doorways and obstructions detected by sensors could also delay the boarding and alighting process.
