Women Rush To Enter Mumbai Local Train Compromising Safety

A video from a local train in Mumbai has been doing viral rounds on the internet. The clip posted by an X (formerly Twitter) user named "The Skin Doctor" shows a moving local train that’s about to stop at a station. However, even before it could completely stop moving, women started rushing inside the train in the quest to grab a seat.

The video emphasised how regular people in Mumbai pull such dangerous stunts so easily. Garnering over 90k views on social media, the video sparked an online debate.

You'll find this sad, scary, substandard living. But the affluent, wokes living comfortably in South Bombay glamorize this as the 'spirit of Mumbai', a 'jhunjhuna' given to the common Mumbaikars so that they feel better about their misery and don't ask for better infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/3pARetar3A

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) September 16, 2023

Women Rush To Enter Mumbai Local Train

The caption read, "You’ll find this sad, scary, substandard living. But the affluent, who live comfortably in South Bombay, glamorise this as the 'spirit of Mumbai', a 'jhunjhuna' given to the common Mumbaikars so that they feel better about their misery and don't ask for better infrastructure."

The video paved the way for a debate among netizens. While a section of users said that people have no choice but to rush into the train so that they don’t have to stand in the crowd throughout their long journey, the other section of people pointed out that safety shouldn’t be prioritised.

Personal Experience With Chennai Local Train

This reminded me of a recent encounter I had with the local trains in Chennai. I’ve commuted on local trains only about half a dozen times all my life, and this was my first time taking the train in the late evening. I was shocked to find myself getting squeezed while getting in and out of the local train. Women were in a mad rush to get in first and grab a seat for themselves.

Although I, having the luxury to commute through other modes of transport, don’t have to endure this again, I really could empathise with the women who don't have that option. While some people find this behaviour uncivilised, having personally encountered this ordeal gave me insight.

Most of these women belong to the economically weaker sections of society. Their job might most likely not allow them to sit in an ergonomic chair in an air-conditioned room and tap on the keyboard. They might have been sweating it out all day, and it’s understandable that each of them would want to get a seat to sit down before they reach home and take on the never-ending domestic responsibilities.

Insight From A Mumbaikar

Ragini Daliya, a native of Mumbai, said while local trains are swift and economical, crowds have always been a concerning issue. "In a way, commuting by Mumbai local made me tough." Recalling an incident from her early days commuting by Mumbai local train, Ragini said, "Once there was a humongous crowd, and while getting down in Malad, I remember being pushed, and my leg got caught in the narrow gap between the train and the platform. Thankfully, a woman helped me, and I got out safely just seconds before the train started again. I was so traumatised that I couldn’t commute by local train for the next couple of weeks. But then I went on to become one of those Mumbaikars who skillfully navigated through the heavily populated local trains."

Call For Prioritising Safety

Safety remains a major concern because I also found myself stuck somewhere between the train and the platform during my recent commute on the Chennai local train. I was scared to my bones of having an accident but thankfully managed to make it out just in time before the train started moving.

As I walked out of the railway station, I swore to myself never to put myself in such a risky situation because I have the luxury to make a different choice. But then, what about all the other women who have no choice but to travel by local trains every day? What is going to be done to ensure the safety of those women?

Like a X user pointed out in the comment section below the video, lack of adequate infrastructure in local railways is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed. Safety is a high priority, and people shouldn't have to be put in a position where they are forced to endure such risky situations.

Suggested Reading:Women Beat Men On Mumbai Train For Entering Ladies' Compartment

Views expressed by the author are their own