1,030 trains transport three million people daily on the Western railway suburban line," says Bhagwat Dahisarkar, senior public relations officer, Western Railway, who was leaving his office to make a round of the railway hospitals.
Some 50,000 passengers travel per kilometre per day on this line; approximately 14 to 16 passengers occupying a square metre during the most hectic hours.
There is a train leaving Churchgate every three minutes all day and till 12.50 am at night. During peak hours -- 8 am to 10.30 am and 5 pm to 7.30 pm -- a nine-bogey train capable of transporting 1,700 passengers in reality carries 4,500 commuters packed cheek by jowl.
Approximately 1,000 male passengers travel first class on each train during rush hour. And 1,500 female passengers travel on each train in first and second class during peak time.
Photograph: Sebastian D'Souza/AFP/Getty Images
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