Frustrated with the overcrowding and heat, several commuters on Mumbai’s Metro recently staged a protest mid-journey after the train’s air conditioning failed. The incident, captured in a viral video, took place on the busy Ghatkopar–Versova line and shows passengers blocking the doors, refusing to move until the cooling system was restored.
For many Mumbaikars, the metro is a quicker and more comfortable alternative to the city’s packed local trains. However, repeated AC failures in recent days have left passengers questioning the service’s reliability.
The latest disruption occurred during the morning rush when trains between Ghatkopar and Andheri were heavily crowded. With the sudden AC shutdown, many commuters reported feeling suffocated. As the train pulled into a station, tempers flared—passengers refused to disembark and demanded that the cooling be switched back on.
Security staff arrived to diffuse the situation, persuading the crowd to let the train proceed. Some passengers, however, voiced their anger, saying they were paying for comfort but travelling in suffocating conditions. The video also shows security personnel attempting to close the doors while some commuters resisted.
Frequent AC malfunctions during peak hours have become a recurring complaint among metro users, who argue that such issues undermine the promise of a smooth, premium commuting experience. Many have taken to social media to share their frustrations, tagging the metro authority and calling for urgent action.
