MUMBAI: During patrolling at Kalyan railway station in February 2025, four vigilant policewomen noticed a teenage girl alone on a foot overbridge, sobbing uncontrollably amid the evening rush. Constables Tare, Mane, Sane, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Ingavle calmed her down and offered food. The 16-year-old eventually revealed she had fled her home in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, and boarded a train to Mumbai. However, upon arrival, the overwhelming scale of the metropolis left her distraught. The officers contacted her father, who was relieved to learn his daughter was safe. The girl was then brought before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
This teenager is one of 11,835 happy reunions facilitated by the Mumbai Railway Police between January 2021 and April 2026. Out of 11,974 unaccompanied minors found on railway premises across the city during this period, an astounding 99% were eventually reunited with their families, according to railway police data. In nearly half of the cases (5,736), children were handed over to their guardians directly at police stations. The data also revealed that a higher number of unaccompanied boys were found compared to girls.
Why Do Minors Travel to Mumbai Alone?
So, what drives thousands of minors to board trains from all over the country to Mumbai? A Government Railway Police (GRP) officer explained that several factors attract youngsters. Many are drawn by Mumbai's glamour, while others seek work to support their families due to poor economic conditions. Some run away after conflicts with parents over grades or excessive smartphone use, and others have eloped. These children often see rail travel as an easy option, believing they can hide among the crowd or find refuge near stations. But for many, the illusion shatters upon arrival at chaotic termini like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, or Mumbai Central Terminus, where they have no idea where to go next. It is critical to prevent these unaccompanied minors from falling prey to child traffickers.
New Challenges with Evolving Infrastructure
As Mumbai's railway infrastructure evolves, security agencies face new challenges. With the increasing frequency of AC local trains, railway police encounter instances where children accidentally board closed-door trains and get separated from their parents left behind on the platform. This underscores the need for heightened vigilance and public awareness.
