Only 1,408 of the 26,547 people who died while travelling on Mumbai’s suburban railway network over the past 10 years—just around 5%—have received compensation, revealed an RTI query filed by activist Godfrey Pimenta.
According to Indian Railways data, 17,212 deaths occurred on Central Railway and 9,335 on Western Railway, with 14,175 cases attributed to trespassing. Other causes include overcrowding, platform-train gaps, and stampedes. For instance, on June 9, five people fell to their deaths when two overcrowded trains passed each other near Mumbra station. In another tragic incident on September 29, 2017, a stampede at Elphinstone Road station claimed 22 lives.
Over seven million passengers use Mumbai’s lifeline—its local trains—daily. A single coach, designed for far fewer, often carries up to 1,800 commuters—two to three times over capacity. On average, at least eight people die daily on Mumbai’s three railway lines.
Despite these alarming figures, compensation remains dismally low. Indian Railways disbursed Rs 103.71 crore to the families of 1,408 deceased passengers between January 1, 2015, and May 31, 2025. Another Rs 14.24 crore was provided to 494 injured passengers. The maximum compensation per family stands at Rs. 8 lakh.
Siddhesh Desai, vice president of the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh, said, “These deaths are not just numbers—they highlight systemic neglect. Better infrastructure and governance can prevent such tragedies, as reported by Hindustan times.
Madhu Kotian, a member of a railway passengers’ association, added, “Delays in justice are unacceptable. We need fast-tracked compensation with strict timelines, more Railway Claims Tribunal benches in Mumbai, and accountability from Indian Railways, Government Railway Police, and related agencies.”
Though Indian Railways recently increased ex gratia payments from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 8 lakh, activists say the gesture remains largely symbolic. “Even the revised amount fails to reflect the emotional and financial toll on families,” said Pimenta. “Disparities in payouts across states and incidents also highlight the need for uniformity and justice under the law.”
Railway safety advocates are urging urgent action to complete long-pending safety projects—such as foot-overbridges, widened platforms, and secure fencing—to protect commuters and reduce preventable deaths.
Source: Hindustan Times
