Mumbai Central Railway Commuters Endure Friday of Disruptions and Delays
Commuters on Mumbai's Central Railway network faced a challenging and chaotic Friday as a series of unfortunate incidents unfolded across the suburban rail system, leading to significant delays and overcrowding on both the main and harbour lines. The day's disruptions began in the morning and extended into the evening, testing the patience of thousands of daily travelers.
Morning Incident at Sion Station Leads to Injuries and Operational Halt
The first disruption occurred around 10am at Sion station, where three individuals sustained injuries following a quarrel within the station premises. According to railway officials, the altercation caused the trio to lose their balance and fall beside the UP (CSMT-bound slow) track. As an immediate safety precaution, the Overhead Equipment (OHE) for both UP and DN tracks was temporarily switched off, halting train operations in that section.
The injured individuals were promptly rushed to a nearby hospital, where their condition was reported as stable. They have been identified as Afzal Chaudhari (36) of Govandi, Sachin Vishvakarma (21) of Nalasopara in Thane district, and Jainil Sayyad (25) of Kurla. While the incident was contained, it set the tone for a day of commuting difficulties.
Evening Trackside Fire Near Kalwa Compounds Commuter Woes
As evening approached, Central Railway services faced another setback when fire and smoke were reported from garbage lying adjacent to the tracks between Kalwa and Thane around 6.30pm. Railway officials immediately imposed a caution order in the affected section while fire brigade personnel conducted dousing operations near the tracks.
During this period, train movements were carefully regulated, resulting in delays not only for suburban services but also for long-distance trains operating on the main line. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to external factors and their impact on Mumbai's critical transportation network.
Harbour Line Signal Failure Adds to the Cascading Disruptions
Adding to the day's challenges, harbour line services experienced significant disruptions due to a signal and telecommunication failure between Mansarovar and Khandeshwar. During this failure, four signals in both UP and DN directions went blank, necessitating the regulation of train movements on this crucial section.
The combined effect of these incidents created severe overcrowding at stations, particularly during peak commuting hours. Platforms became dangerously packed as delayed services bunched together, creating a stressful environment for passengers.
Commuters Share Their Frustrating Experiences
"I was stuck at Kurla station for nearly 25 minutes waiting for a train. Every service was delayed and platforms were overcrowded. There was no clear announcement on how long it would take," said Rakesh Patil, a daily commuter traveling towards Dadar.
Another frustrated commuter, Amit Raje, described how the situation became so untenable that he abandoned his train journey altogether. "Trains were so overcrowded due to the delays that I decided not to board at all. I stepped out of the station and took road transport to reach Matunga, even though it took longer," he explained, highlighting the extent of disruption faced by Mumbai's rail-dependent population.
The series of incidents on Friday served as a stark reminder of the fragility of Mumbai's suburban rail network and its profound impact on the daily lives of millions of commuters who depend on this vital transportation system for their work, education, and personal commitments.
