The packed morning train from Vasai that Riya Malvankar travels in every day. (Pic/Dipti Singh)
Women literally jump into the train to secure a seat or at least a space to stand. Those familiar with the tricks of boarding manage to squeeze in, while novices struggle at doorways blocked by passengers preparing to alight at upcoming stations. The journey offers a vivid glimpse into a “commute to hell,” where every trip reminds passengers of the razor-thin line between a safe arrival and a tragic mishap. (Pic/Dipti Singh)
Speaking to mid-day about her daily struggles, Riya said, “I have been travelling by the local trains for the last 15 years. Every year, train travel gets more difficult. I usually board the 7.16 am or 7.27 am train from Vasai to Andheri. Getting on the train and finding even a place to stand is such a struggle that by the time I reach my office, half my energy is already drained. I don’t feel like working after that." (Pic/Dipti Singh)
“If I miss these trains, I face a delay of at least half an hour or more. From Andheri station, I take an auto to my office in MIDC, which normally takes just 7–8 minutes in the morning. But getting an auto outside Andheri station is a herculean task,” she added.
(In Pic: Riya Malvankar on her way to the office in a rickshaw in Andheri, Pic/Dipti Singh)
Riya leaves her office around 4.45 pm which is slightly earlier than the evening rush hour. She takes an auto from MIDC in the Andheri East to Andheri station. Detailing her return journey, Riya said, “In the evenings, we take a train from Andheri to Vasai again during peak hours. The digital indicators on the platforms often display incorrect train timings, and sometimes, at the last minute, the platform itself is changed. A minute before the train is supposed to arrive, it might shift to another platform, leaving us scrambling.”
(In Pic: Riya leaving office. Pic/Nimesh Dave)
5 “After all this, you still struggle to find a place to sit or stand. We rush to board the 5.25 pm, 6.10 pm, or 6.52 pm local. If you miss these trains after that, getting into any train becomes nearly impossible. I target the 5.25 pm local because it is an AC local and therefore less crowded, which means I have to rush through my day, finish my work, pack up, and leave the office by 4.45 pm.” From Vasai station then again she takes another auto back home.
(In Pic: Riya Malvankar prefers commuting in the AC local during the evening as it is less crowded. Pic/Nimesh Dave)
While Riya and her fellow commuters acknowledge the Railways’ larger challenges, she believes that small, solvable issues—like unreliable indicators and last-minute platform changes—should not be ignored. “We understand that migration can’t be controlled and that crowds will keep increasing. The railways have their own set of challenges, but basic issues can be fixed.
For example, during peak hours, first-class compartments are often overcrowded with second-class ticket holders. We don’t have the authority to check them, so TCs should be more frequent. Indicators often display incorrect arrival times, showing a train is arriving in a minute when it actually arrives seven or eight minutes later. Platforms are also changed at the last moment, making passengers rush dangerously from one end to another. All these things add to our daily chaos.” (Pic/Dipti Singh)
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