Thousands of Commuters Affected as Trains Run Behind
Schedule
Mumbai: Local train services on the Central Railway's
main line were disrupted on Tuesday morning following a technical
snag in the signalling system, railway officials confirmed.
The issue occurred around 4:55 AM on the south-bound
slow track between Diva and Mumbra stations in Thane district,
causing delays of 15-20 minutes on multiple services. Central
Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Swapnil Nila, stated that the signal
issue was resolved by 6:00 AM, after more than an hour of disruptions.
Heavy Rush at Stations, Passengers Face Inconvenience
As a result of the delay, crowds swelled at suburban
stations along the main line, leading to significant inconvenience
for daily commuters. Passenger groups expressed frustration over the
disruption, highlighting the challenges faced due to overcrowding.
The Central Railway's main line connects Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Kasara, Karjat, and Khopoli, forming a
crucial network for Mumbai’s daily commuters. The railway operates nearly
1,800 local train services daily across its main, harbour,
trans-harbour, and Belapur-Uran corridors, serving over 35 lakh
passengers every day.
Government Plans to Improve Train Frequency and Comfort
In a related development, Railway Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw recently announced plans to reduce the gap between Mumbai’s
suburban trains from 180 seconds (3 minutes) to 120 seconds (2 minutes)
to enhance service frequency.
Additionally, efforts are underway to upgrade ventilation
and air conditioning systems in Mumbai's local trains, adopting technology
similar to the Vande Bharat Express, aimed at improving passenger comfort.