13 photographs of Mumbai local trains you must see today

Snapshots from a day in the life of Mumbai's lifeline.

The Mumbai suburban local trains are the lifeline of this city.

It is no secret that most of us spend more time with our colleagues than with our families during a regular work week.

With large number of people spending anywhere between three to four hours every single day, your fellow commuters come close second.

And while we do quite love our trains, there are few things more humiliating than travelling in the suburban Mumbai local trains.

Let's take a look at how life unfolds in the Mumbai suburban local train (and along its almost 430 km-long tracks)

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Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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Every nine-coach train has a capacity of about 2500 people.

During peak hours, it carries more than 5000 people.

Some years ago 12 coach trains were introduced into the systems fleet.

More recently 15 coach trains were inducted.

None of it has helped reduce the humiliating travel conditions.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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For most young Mumbaikars, train travel is not an option.

It remains the cheapest and the fastest mode of transport... and the only thing our salaries can afford.

So even if it means sticking our noses into someone else's armpit and staying that way for a good part of the journey, we do it without complaining.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

Post it here -- #Mumbai-Locals -- and we will publish the best photographs right here on Rediff.com!

Sometimes, the only two things that are in-between us and certain death are the tips of your fingers and toes.

Every few minutes, the good folks at the Indian Railways offices remind us through public announcement systems that travelling on footboards can be fatal… just in case we hadn't noticed it ourselves.

However cautious and non-adventurous you may be, if you've lived in Mumbai long enough there would have been at least once when you've miscalculated the crowd and boarded a train you shouldn't have.

And that's when you'd realise what 'a matter of life and death' really means because the only two things keeping you from certain death are your fingers and toes.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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You may not have done this but you will have certainly toyed with the idea of travelling in-between compartments.

Secretly you would also be jealous of this guy... because he's the only one who gets to sit throughout the journey.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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It isn't unusual for the entire train system to crumble every monsoon. All it takes is one heavy shower.

Inside the train, passengers wait patiently for their train to start so they can reach work or home.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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Even so, the suburban Mumbai local trains are one of a kind.

Put a child in the train for the first time (not during peak hours of course) and you'll know just why we love our trains!

Despite everything, the average Mumbaikar is proud of the Mumbai locals and wouldn't think twice before boasting about it with an out-of-towner.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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The trains are also something of a fascination for most out-of-towners.

Everyone who comes to Mumbai wants to know just what it is that draws all Mumbaikars to the local trains.

Even Rahul Gandhi couldn't contain his curiosity.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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Talking of out-of-towners, here is another one who dared to take the train -- Ken Linvingstone the former Mayor of London who thought it might be a jolly good idea to board a local.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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So you see, the Mumbai local trains aren't just a lifeline of the city.

This is where friends are made and lifelong bonds are forged... sometimes even over a game of cards :-)

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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This is where you get ready for your day...

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You introspect...

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

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And when at the end of a long, tiring day, you head home, know that the trains are the only mode of transport running at the time and the only place where you can stretch out and put your worries away.

Have an interesting photograph of life in a Mumbai local train?

Post it here -- #Mumbai-Locals -- and we will publish the best photographs right here on Rediff.com!