Mumbai: Thursday’s incident where a disabled commuter was pushed off a moving local train and killed by an able-bodied commuter following an argument over seats should be a “wake-up call” for the Railways, said activists, demanding sustained action against unauthorised travel in Divyangjan (handicapped) coaches. In 2025, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered over 23,000 cases of unauthorised travel on Western and Central Railway put together. But disabled commuters continue to grapple with challenges while boarding and alighting from Divyangjan coaches that are packed with able-bodied passengers in peak hours.“Altercations in Divyangjan coaches are a common feature during peak hours. Disabled commuters frequently face abuse, are prevented from entering/exiting coaches and face assault,” pointed out activist Nitin Gaikwad, who wrote to the Railways as recently as July demanding deployment of uniformed RPF personnel on platforms outside Divyangjan coaches.On March 27, a disabled commuter, identified only as Sajjad, was assaulted in a Karjat fast local by a woman and her minor son. Sajjad had questioned why she had entered a reserved coach when she did not have a disability. In May last year, a visually challenged woman was assaulted by a man after a row over seats on a Titwala-bound local.Gaikwad said altercations are more frequent at Thane, Ghatkopar and Dadar stations on CR. “Boarding the Divyangjan coach of a Kalyan, Titwala or Karjat-bound local train from these stations during evening peak hour is a daunting task,” he said. On WR, getting into a Virar local from Andheri and Borivli stations is a challenge.Some of the able-bodied travellers comprise policemen dressed in civvies. Activists had complained to the police department in the past, following which instructions were given to police personnel to stop travelling in reserved coaches. Activist Samir Zaveri, who has a 90% disability, said Railways must treat Thursday’s murder case as a wake-up call, ensure prompt action against violators, and take immediate steps to protect vulnerable passengers.The new Jan Vishwas Act imposes a severe penalty of Rs 2,000 for unauthorised travel in Divyangjan coaches. Under this law, RPF (Western Railway) prosecuted 524 people and penalised them Rs 10.48 lakh so far this year.“The fines collected under the Jan Vishwas Act this year are higher than penalties charged from nearly 4,800 offenders prosecuted under the Indian Railways Act,” said a WR official.
