Train services disrupted on CR’s main and harbour lines in Mumbai during rush hour

Rail fracture and technical snag led to delays on Tuesday morning

Suburban services on the Central Railway’s (CR) main and harbour lines were affected on Tuesday morning, making morning commute a huge struggle for lakhs of Mumbaiites.

Commuters complained that trains were delayed by 10 to 15 minutes during the rush hour, which led to huge crowding both inside trains and at stations. (HT File Photo / For representational purpose only)

Around 8.30am, train services on the harbour line were disrupted following a technical problem. An hour later, around 9.40am, the main line services were affected after a rail fracture was spotted near Tanshet station on the Kasara- Kalyan section.

CR officials claimed that the technical snag lasted for just 12 minutes. “Due to some technical issue, harbour and trans-harbour line trains are running five to 10 minutes late. The inconvenience is deeply regretted,” said Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, CR. However, commuters complained that trains were delayed by 10 to 15 minutes during the rush hour, which led to huge crowding both inside trains and at stations.

On the main line, services, especially beyond Kalyan, were disrupted after a rail fracture was detected between Atgaon and Tanshet stations. Sudden fluctuations in temperature in winter leads to fractures, railway officials said.

Commuter activists claimed that a major accident involving the Mumbai-bound Bhagalpur Express was averted as the rail fracture was detected just in time, but the CR spokesperson denied it.

Following this, several trains, including the Bhagalpur Express and Pushpak Express as well as a couple of local trains, were held up at various stations. Services resumed at 10.41am after the tracks were repaired, Udasi said.

Commuters on the western line, too, complained that trains on the fast line were running 10 to 15 minutes late, but the cause of the delay could not be ascertained.