A technical issue in the signaling system on Mumbai's Central Railway main line caused significant disruptions to suburban local trains on Tuesday morning. (PTI)
Mumbai: Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban train network, faced significant disruptions on Tuesday morning after a technical snag in the signaling system affected local services on the Central Railway’s main line. The issue, which occurred at around 4:55 am, caused delays of 15-20 minutes on the southbound slow track between Diva and Mumbra railway stations in the neighboring Thane district.
The signal malfunction persisted for more than an hour, with officials confirming that it was rectified by around 6 am. Swapnil Nila, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railways, confirmed the restoration of the signal, but by that time, the disruption had already led to overcrowding on the trains and at stations along the main line. Commuters experienced significant inconvenience as trains continued to run late, leading to chaos during the rush hour.
As a result of the signal failure, the already crowded trains saw an increase in the number of passengers, with commuters facing extreme difficulty in reaching their destinations. A commuter activist mentioned that this issue caused undue hardship for daily travelers. The Central Railway’s suburban network is a vital part of Mumbai’s infrastructure, with over 35 lakh passengers relying on these trains every day.
The Central Railway main line stretches from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai to Kasara in Thane, and further to Khopoli and Karjat in Raigad district. Daily, nearly 1,800 local train services operate across the suburban network, catering to millions of Mumbaikars who rely on these trains to commute.
The delay and overcrowding on the suburban trains once again highlighted the vulnerability of Mumbai's public transport system. With such a large number of people depending on the local trains, even brief disruptions can lead to significant hardships for passengers.
Press Enter to search