A tragic stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus left at least 10 injured, with two critically hurt, after a mass of travelers attempted to board a moving train in the early hours of Sunday. The incident unfolded around 2:45 a.m., as a crowd rushed to secure unreserved seats on the 22921 Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express. The train, scheduled to depart at 5:10 a.m., was already filling up as it arrived on platform number 1, but with reservations unavailable, the unreserved seating led to an intense scramble among passengers eager to find space.
Videos circulating on social media captured the unsettling scene, showing hundreds of passengers pushing forward as the train approached, with the surge resulting in some individuals being trampled or pushed to the ground. Among the injured, one person could be seen lying with a visible leg injury while others, visibly distressed, continued trying to board. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of people shouting in panic and some bleeding as chaos erupted on the crowded platform.
As the festive season draws near, Mumbai’s train stations have seen a sharp rise in traveler numbers, with many heading back to their hometowns for Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations. The unreserved trains, commonly used by those unable to secure regular tickets, often become a source of desperation and overcrowding, exacerbated during these periods of high demand.
The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition leaders in Maharashtra directing sharp criticism at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, accusing him of ignoring pressing railway safety issues in Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray was particularly vocal, condemning Vaishnaw’s focus on the bullet train project while rail safety concerns mount in Mumbai. Thackeray questioned the minister’s priorities and called for more effective oversight, saying, “It’s clear that the current railway administration is disconnected from Mumbai’s daily challenges. The minister has become a ‘reel minister’ rather than a ‘real’ one, concerned with high-profile projects instead of passenger safety.”
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut also joined the chorus, accusing the central government of neglecting Mumbai’s railway infrastructure despite the city’s significant revenue contributions. Raut argued that Mumbai, given its economic stature, deserves a well-maintained and safe transportation network, yet local train passengers continue to face preventable incidents. He underscored that the bullet train project, though prestigious, should not divert attention from the immediate needs of the city’s commuters.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Clyde Crasto echoed these sentiments, calling the incident a “disturbing failure” on the Railways Ministry's and local authorities' part. Crasto argued that the lack of additional trains during high-demand festive periods and the failure to control platform access contributed to the chaotic situation.
In response to the criticism, railway authorities issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and promised to review safety protocols during peak travel seasons. Local officials have reportedly begun investigations into how the situation spiraled out of control and whether additional security or staffing could have mitigated the stampede. Calls have emerged for the implementation of crowd-control measures, such as pre-departure screening and staggered entry points, to ensure such incidents do not recur.
For Mumbai’s commuters and families, the incident has highlighted a pervasive issue that resurfaces each festival season. Many are now calling for long-term solutions to prevent overcrowding, citing the psychological and physical toll it takes on regular travelers who are often left navigating overcrowded platforms, frequent delays, and under-resourced trains. Families of the injured have expressed concerns for the safety of loved ones, emphasizing that while large-scale projects may boost national pride, immediate needs on the ground must not be overlooked. The stampede has reignited a debate on how best to balance developmental projects with the everyday safety needs of the public.
