Sharp curves near Mumbra station, long flagged by commuters, may have caused the recent train tragedy. Locals report violent jerks and poor infrastructure, demanding fast trains halt at Mumbra and urgent safety upgrades.
The first sharp curve near Mumbra station, where the accident occurred
The spot where the accident occurred on Monday, where 13 people were injured of which four were killed, has a sharp curve, and commuters have long reported experiencing severe jerks while passing through it. mid-day had earlier highlighted such stretches. A visit to the accident site near pole number 40/4, on the Kalyan end of Mumbra station, revealed not one but two such curves — exactly where the mishap occurred. Passengers say these sharp bends often cause violent jolts in speeding trains.
“There are two major curves — one at the north approach of Mumbra station and another right at the station itself on the new rail lines,” said Nazim Ansari, vice president of the Mumbra Pravasi Sangh. “The tilting of trains due to these curves is most likely the reason for today’s accident. Mondays see heavy crowds. Earlier, before the new lines were built, we used to complain about how shallow the platform was. Now, we’re demanding that at least a few fast trains halt at Mumbra.”
The second curve at Mumbra station platform on the new rail line
Another regular commuter added, “On the CSMT-bound route, if you stand at the right-side door heading from Diva to Mumbra, it feels like you’ll get thrown out. The same happens in reverse when going from Mumbra to Diva on the Kalyan-bound line — if you stand on the left, it throws you outward. I’ve experienced this almost daily. Back in the day, we’d ride the doors for fun during non-peak hours, but here it is dangerous.”
“Just after Mumbra Creek, there’s a curve right before entering the station,” said another passenger. “If you’re not holding on tightly at the door, the jerk can literally throw you out.” Rafique Shaikh, president of the Mumbra Pravasi Sangh, highlighted the bigger problem: “The sharp curve in the Parsik Tunnel section forces trains to slow down drastically, causing major delays and bottlenecks, especially during rush hours. Over the years, many fatal incidents have occurred due to people falling off crowded trains or crossing the tracks in this section. Visibility is poor for both passengers and loco pilots.”
He added, “Fast trains from Kalyan to Thane are diverted via the slow lines and skip Mumbra’s main platforms (3 and 4) because of this curvature and lack of infrastructure. The terrain doesn’t allow straightening or realignment, which also prevents high-speed track development. Despite high population density in Mumbra, Kalwa, and Diva, the rail service remains inadequate.”
Anand Maruti Patil, the original petitioner who raised this issue years ago, said he had received a reply from the Railways acknowledging the issue. “They said a technical survey confirmed that the Kalwa-Mumbra-Diva section lies on a curve. According to the Railway manual, a ‘CANT’ is provided on curves, meaning the outer rail is raised higher than the inner rail to reduce the risk. The train leans inward as it takes the bend,” Patil explained.
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