Technical snag sees 100 local trains delayed in Mumbai

Disruptions began during morning peak hour following technical failure at a point near Santacruz station where trains change tracks

Commuters travelling on western and central line faced inconvenience on Friday due to a series of disruptions. The disruptions started during the morning peak hour following technical failure at a point near Santacruz station where trains change tracks. All the four lines, including slow and the fast lines, were affected. Even after the snag was rectified, local trains on Western Railway were operating with a delay of 20 minutes till late afternoon.

Even after the snag was rectified, local trains on Western Railway were operating with a delay of 20 minutes till late afternoon.(HT FILE)

“As a result of the disruption 20 local train services were cancelled and approximately 100 local train services were delayed,” said a WR spokesperson.

Falak Anjum, a Bandra resident, said, “The local trains were crawling and were very slow. Despite operating special trains to cater to passengers, the compartments were overcrowded.”

On Central Railway, a rail fracture between Dadar and Matunga railway stations on the fast line saw local trains disrupted during the start of the evening peak hour. The error was rectified and services resumed at 6.50pm. However, trains were operating with a delay of 15 minutes. A few local trains were bunched due to the rail fracture, which further delayed services.

“It was a commuting horror, I was going towards home and the local train was stuck at Byculla railway station for 20 minutes. I had boarded a slow local train and the trains were overcrowded,” said Supriya Chalke, a Kurla resident.

SPARKS NOTICED IN LOCAL AT VASHI

Sparks were noticed in the motor coach of a local train at Vashi railway station on Friday. The train had entered the station at 5pm when the sparks were witnessed. It was extinguished by the guard and motorman of the train. The train was then taken to the Sanpada car shed.

Vidyadhar Malegaonkar, additional divisional railway manager, Central Railway, said, “Train number PL141 was at Vashi station when at about 1755 hrs some object came in contact with on-roof equipment of front motor coach. which resulted in smoke. The train was immediately withdrawn from service and an alternative train was provided.There was no injury or danger to any passenger.”