Mumbai: A hoarding advertisement near Bandra railway overbridge by a leading adhesive company was taken down after Western Railway (WR) raised strong objections over its depiction of Mumbai’s suburban train system. In a letter dated April 11, WR criticised the hoarding—put up on MSRDC-owned space—for portraying Indian Railways, particularly Mumbai local trains, in a “derogatory and misleading light.” The image in question showed an old local train with commuters hanging from the footboard, which WR termed as a misrepresentation of the current state of the suburban system.
“It displays the image of a bygone era, which not only undermines the integrity and reputation of Indian Railways but also attempts to draw unfair associations for commercial gain,” the letter stated. WR termed the act “irresponsible and unacceptable,” especially coming from a reputed organisation.
Highlighting the transformation in the suburban network over the past decade, WR pointed to the introduction of new rakes, DC to AC conversion, and the running of air-conditioned local trains. It added that these upgrades have significantly improved passenger safety and convenience for over 70 lakh daily commuters. “Any depiction that trivialises such meticulous train operations, infrastructure, or service standards is factually incorrect and damages public perception through a false narrative,” the letter further read.