A debate has erupted over the kind of advertisements being displayed on Mumbai’s suburban local trains after commuters flagged controversial posters with reportedly ‘indecent’ visuals pasted on a Central Railway (CR) local train. Railway officials told mid-day the party concerned had been advised to remove the ads as early as possible.
Members of the Kalyan-Kasara-Karjat Railway Pravasi Sangh and Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of CR have strongly objected to the ads, calling it “shameful and inappropriate” for a public transport space used by lakhs of daily passengers, including school and college students, senior citizens, and women.
Community values
“The question remains — should public transport prioritise commercial income at the cost of community values?” Rajesh Ghanghav, president of Kalyan Kasara Karjat (K3) Railway Passengers Association, said.
The Kasara-CSMT local train on which the offending advertisements were displayed. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The controversy began on Wednesday evening when a Kasara-CSMT local reached Kasara station at around 6.15 pm. DRUCC passenger representative member, Shyam Ubale, and local representative Yuvraj Pandit documented the ad and lodged a formal protest. “The local train is not a private club or a movie theatre. It is a shared, public space — one that represents Mumbai’s social and cultural fabric,” said Ubale.
“Allowing such visuals in the name of advertising revenue is an insult to commuters’ dignity. It’s not just poor taste — it’s a failure of oversight,” Ubale said, adding that the association had also written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding accountability from CR’s commercial and advertising departments.
“We are not against advertising. But there must be standards. This is not just about one poster — it’s about what the administration allows to define our public spaces,” he added. The issue has reignited a long-standing debate regarding commercial revenue and social responsibility in public transport.
Revenue vs responsibility
CR earns several crores annually through advertising contracts on trains and stations. A senior commuter from Dombivli, Vivek Patil, echoed this concern: “We understand that the Railways need non-fare revenue. But what’s the price of that revenue? Should the lifeline of Mumbai carry ads that make passengers uncomfortable?”
Women commuters have also voiced concern over the lack of sensitivity in ad placement. “If such ads are displayed on compartments reserved for women or in coaches frequently used by families, it’s bound to cause discomfort,” said Anita Deshmukh, a daily commuter from Kalyan. “The authorities need to have a clear vetting mechanism,” she added.
A CR spokesperson, when contacted, said the advertisements were being removed. “Our team has advised the advertiser to remove the objectionable advertisements immediately,” the spokesperson said. Commuter groups said this incident should serve as a wake-up call. “Public spaces like trains and stations must maintain decorum,” said Pandit, adding that the association plans to meet senior railway officials to ensure corrective measures.
Passengers Speak
Ankita Sachin, Commuter at Thane
‘The Railways can earn revenue, but not at the cost of passenger dignity. These ads don’t belong in a shared public space.’
Rishikesh Gautam, Commuter at Kalyan
‘We travel with families, children, and elders. Seeing such content on a local train makes everyone uncomfortable.’
Raman Iyer, Commuter at Dadar
‘The administration should behave responsibly. If this is the standard of vetting, what else will they allow next?’
Kedar Bhati, commuter
‘Local trains are our daily lifeline, not billboards for anything and everything. The authorities must draw the line.’
Deven Bhagat, Dadar resident
‘We don’t oppose advertising — just indecent choices like these are incorrect. Sensitive public spaces need sensitive decisions.’
Ravindra Chavan, Former corporator
‘Railways talk of commuter-friendly reforms but allow content that commuters themselves find objectionable.’
