Rising stone pelting puts commuters at high risk

Despite cameras, patrols, awareness drives, suburban trains remain targets; authorities say tech can’t solve it alone; change begins with understanding lives behind the stones

- Kamal Mishra & Megha Kuchik

Stone pelting on Mumbai's suburban railway network has become a serious safety concern, endangering thousands of daily commuters.

Despite Indian Railways’ efforts, such as installing iron grills on train windows, the problem persists, with a disturbing new trend: passengers, especially those near train doors, are now direct targets.

A disturbing pattern: Recent incidents raise alarm

In recent weeks, three women suffered serious injuries on the Harbour Line. On September 26, 28-year-old Shivani was struck on the head near Reay Road station. On September 18, 39-year-old Anuradha Sav sustained an eye injury near Wadala, and on September 15, 21-year-old Harshada Pawar was hit in the face between Cotton Green and Reay Road. Central Railway reports nearly 30 stone-pelting cases annually in its Mumbai division, while Western Railway's Mumbai Central division records 10-12 cases. Incidents are frequent on the Harbour Line between Dockyard Road and Mankhurd, and on the Main Line near Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva, and beyond Kalyan. Western Railway sees cases in Mahim, Bandra, Kandivali, and beyond Virar.

Who throws stones?