Keeping this in mind, the authorities are toiling hard to make automatic sliding doors (ASD) local trains a reality. Officials have been asked to conduct a trial run soon, and are in the process of finalizing designs for a door that will allow for ventilation in the coaches

If everything works smoothly, Mumbaikars’ dream to travel in closed-door local trains will come true.

 

Given the crush-hour travel, with people bulging out of the coaches of Mumbai locals; the very concept of automatic sliding doors is akin to banging one’s head against the brick wall. However, the doors will be designed to provide ample ventilation to passengers even during wee-hours.

 

According to senior Railway officials in the Western Railway (WR), they are designing doors that will make train travel comfortable for commuters.

 

“We are giving utmost priority to the comfort of commuters. If we will install ordinary doors in non-AC trains, there would be a lack of ventilation, leading to asphyxia. To avoid that, we are designing doors through which air can pass,” said a senior official from WR.

 

The Railway Ministry has asked the WR authorities to take three months to conduct the pilot run, of which a month has already passed. “It’s not easy for us to execute this immediately. Building a new coach with closed doors is easier than modifying existing rakes,” said the official.