Mayank Lohar Murder on Local Train Exposes Severe GRP Staffing Shortage
The murder of 22-year-old Mayank Lohar aboard a moving Western Railway local train on Tuesday night has sparked severe safety concerns among commuters, highlighting a critical manpower shortage within the Government Railway Police (GRP). While key stations such as Thane have been equipped with security systems like baggage scanners and CCTV cameras, local passenger representatives warn that these measures are often poorly monitored or left switched off, leaving the suburban network vulnerable.
The fatal incident occurred following a dispute over closing a carriage door due to heavy rain. The tragedy has exposed a severe security crisis on the suburban railway network, which ferries between 6.8 million and 8 million passengers every day.
Railway activist Sameer Zaveri stated that the strength of the GRP has remained virtually unchanged for nearly two decades despite a steady rise in commuters. According to Zaveri, there is currently just one police personnel for every 2,000 suburban railway passengers.
According to 2025 GRP data, 693 constabulary posts and 85 officer-level posts remain vacant across the Central and Western Railway divisions. Out of a sanctioned strength of 255 officers, only 190 are currently in service, leaving 65 posts—nearly 25 percent—vacant. These vacancies include eight police inspectors, 17 assistant police inspectors, and 40 police sub-inspectors.
Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said commuter groups have long demanded stronger security. He noted that passenger safety continues to receive less attention than revenue protection and ticket-checking drives. Desai added that the suburban rail network lacks an effective mechanism to prevent people from carrying weapons like knives into stations.
Police officials said the shortage worsened after recruitment came to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic. With nearly 1,500 personnel retiring every year and no recruitment in 2019, 2020, and 2021, vacancies have continued to pile up.
GRP Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar said that recruitment efforts are currently underway. The recruitment process for 743 personnel has been completed, and 350 of them have left for training to join the force in August. Kalasagar added that the police are increasing surprise baggage checks and intensifying patrolling. However, another senior police officer admitted that deploying personnel in every coach of every local train remains impossible.
