According to the statistics available with dna, between 2011 and 2015, 144 people died after falling in the deadly gaps. Of these, a sizable 85 were from WR's Mumbai division. CR's Mumbai division saw 35 such deaths in the same period.
When it comes to the dubious distinction of the number of people dying after falling in the gap between a train and the platform, Western Railway (WR) has a march over its bigger suburban counterpart, the Central Railway (CR).
According to the statistics available with dna, between 2011 and 2015, 144 people died after falling in the deadly gaps. Of these, a sizable 85 were from WR's Mumbai division. CR's Mumbai division saw 35 such deaths in the same period.
Pune saw 22 people die this way, which is a matter of concern, admitted the railway officials, as Pune doesn't have even a fraction of the kind of footfall that Mumbai's two mega suburban networks handle. The Solapur division saw two deaths in this manner between 2011 and 2015.
The CR, however, nudged ahead of WR when it came to the number of people getting injured after falling in the gaps. Of the 191 people injured in the last five years in Mumbai, Pune and Solapur, as many as 102 were from CR's Mumbai division. WR trailed it with 72 injured. Pune accounted for 16 injuries and Solapur for the lone injury.
"The higher number of casualties in WR is a source of worry. It is possible that the frequency of trains is higher in WR, since it has a shorter network. Also, possibly, certain sections of WR's suburban network are the most crowded in the world. It is possible that the high number of deaths might be due to this crushing crowd," said an official.
CR has claimed that it has raised the level of 77 platforms at 34 stations by August 2016, while WR has completed work on 88 platforms. The two railways have been raising platforms that are 760mm above the rail tracks to a safer 840-900-920mm, as per the characteristics of a particular station.
Currently, Mumbai predominantly runs two makes of trains, both of which are on the "taller" side. The Siemens rakes have a floor height of almost 1,220mm whereas the ideal, as per railway rules, should be around 1,187-1,197mm from the top of the rails. The new Bombardier rake currently stabled at Virar carshed is a touch worse, with a floor at a height of 1,230mm from the top of the rails. The new air-conditioned rake is a touch taller than the Bombardier at 1,239mm above the rails.
Gap trap deaths and injuries (2011-15)
Service Dead Injured
Mumbai CR 35 102
Mumbai WR 85 72
Pune CR 22 16
Solapur CR 2 1
Total 144 191
WR: 88 platforms raised
CR: 77 platforms raised
Siemens: 1,220mm above the rails
Bombardier: 1,230mm above the rails
BHEL AC rake: 1,239mm above the rails
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