A morning disruption on Mumbai Metro’s Blue Line (Line 1) triggered stampede-like scenes, particularly at Ghatkopar station, reigniting the long-pending demand to add two more coaches to existing trains.

The Blue Line — Mumbai Metro One — was originally designed to run six-car trains. According to experts, the upgrade shouldn’t pose major hurdles, as the platforms and supporting infrastructure are already equipped for longer trains. While each four-car rake currently accommodates around 1178 passengers, converting them to six-coach trains would boost capacity to 1792. The transition, if not implemented at once, can be rolled out in phases.

mid-day had first highlighted the issue in 2018. “After seven decades, Mumbai got a Metro — but the platforms and entry gates are too small to handle peak-hour crowds. Our planners lack even a Std V student’s IQ,” commuter Mihir Jha remarked. Jainam Shah, another commuter, described the situation starkly: “It felt like a stampede on the Ghatkopar FOB.”