Flagging commuter safety, Railway Minister Ashwini Vishnaw announced that Mumbai will start getting closed-door local trains. While commuter safety should always be a priority, it remains to be seen whether this initiative will translate to reality. One has been hearing about authorities talking about closed doors for local trains for a while now, but the minister has made concrete statements, including spelling out a timeline.

Till these closed doors become a reality, we must see commuters, at least during non-peak hours, stay away from the doors. Often, even in relatively empty compartments, they can be seen near the door. Hoping to be the quickest to alight, they balance themselves precariously and alight even before the train comes to a halt.