Mumbai: The Mumbai-Pune Deccan Express suffered an engine failure on Tuesday, forcing the train to halt between Kalyan and Neral for over 1.5 hours and triggering delays across Central Railway’s busy corridor. Railway officials stated that the locomotive developed a technical snag en route, leaving the express stranded on the main line and disrupting both long-distance and suburban operations during the peak movement window.
Replacement Locomotive Arranged
After attempts to restore the engine did not yield results, a replacement locomotive was arranged from Karjat and attached to the Deccan Express. The train then resumed its journey towards Pune, but the prolonged stoppage meant passengers reached Pune around two hours behind schedule.
Official Statement
In a media statement, a Central Railway official said: “The 11007 CSMT-Pune Deccan Express was delayed between Vangani and Neral stations from 8.41 am due to a diesel loco failure. The train manager called for a new engine around 8.55 am. The engine was attached to the Deccan Express coaches and departed ex Karjat at 9.25 am.”
Ripple Effects on Other Services
The ripple effect was felt immediately on the Mumbai-Pune route and on services heading towards south India, with several long-distance trains delayed by nearly an hour as traffic was regulated around the affected section. The incident also led to the cancellation of one suburban local, officials said, as the line capacity was constrained while the stranded express was attended to and the replacement engine was moved into position.
Suburban Commuters Affected
Suburban commuters on the Central Railway line faced additional inconvenience. Services from Ambernath and Badlapur towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) were delayed by up to 30 minutes, according to passengers, as trains were held or slowed to manage congestion created by the disruption.
Passenger Experiences
A passenger travelling on the Deccan Express described the situation as chaotic and stressful. “It was frustrating as the train waited for over an hour on the tracks near Neral. Many passengers jumped on the tracks and were clueless, with some deciding to walk to the nearest station and take alternate transport. There was a serious problem with the engine, and we were stranded,” the passenger recalled.
Railway Response and Recommendations
Railway sources said staff were deployed to manage the situation and restore movement, but the halt on a critical stretch inevitably affected multiple services. Commuters and passengers urged better on-board communication during such breakdowns, saying timely updates could reduce confusion and unsafe behaviour near the tracks.
