Mumbai local chaos: Did shoddy work cause train to derail near Dombivali station?

The coach which derailed near Dombivli station on Monday morning. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A coach of an empty local train derailed on Monday near Dombivli station, where work had been carried out the previous day, sparking delays on the suburban network. While passenger associations have questioned Central Railway's (CR) maintenance practices, a Central Railway spokesperson told mid-day that a high-level investigation had been launched.

The incident occurred around 8.09 am, when the train was travelling from Kalwa car shed to Kalyan. Since the train was empty, no injuries were reported. The re-railment was finished at 10.10 am, and operations resumed from 10.45 am. In total, 12 trains were diverted and nine cancelled.

The Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, one of the oldest organisations in the city, raised serious concerns regarding the quality and execution of maintenance activities carried out during the mega block undertaken on Sunday.

Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh

According to a note issued by the body, extensive maintenance and infrastructure work, including platform extension and track-related modifications, were carried out between the Mulund, Thane, Diva, and Dombivli sections. These activities were expected to enhance the safety and operational reliability of suburban services.

Pravasi Sangh speaks out

Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said, "Within hours of completion of the mega block, the derailment occurred. Though no injuries were reported, the incident raises critical questions about the effectiveness, quality control, and supervision of the work carried out during the mega block in the same section. It is deeply concerning that, despite halting suburban train services for maintenance, long-distance trains were reportedly allowed to operate on the same tracks during the mega block period. This practice not only disrupts the maintenance process but also poses a serious threat to the safety of on-ground railway staff, including gangmen and technical workers, who are engaged in high-risk activities on live tracks."

"Additionally, with the onset of severe heatwave conditions, forcing frontline workers to carry out such intensive tasks without adequate protection, scheduling adjustments, or operational safeguards reflects a lack of sensitivity towards workforce safety and welfare. Passenger safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Mega blocks are meant to improve safety - not to raise new concerns," he added.

Demands raised in Desai's petition

>> A high-level independent inquiry into the derailment and its possible linkage with the mega block work
>> Strict quality audits and accountability mechanisms for all such maintenance activities
>> Immediate prohibition of long-distance train movements on tracks under maintenance during mega blocks
>> Creation and strict enforcement of dedicated corridors/tracks to ensure that maintenance work is carried out in a completely safe and interruption-free environment
>> Implementation of safety protocols and humane working conditions for railway staff, especially during extreme weather conditions

Voices of concern

Lata Argade, president, Suburban Railway Passengers' Federation
‘As there was a sharp curve towards Kalyan at Dombivli station platform no. 1, the speed of the train had to be low. Work had been done to fix technical problems with the railway track on which the coach derailed. Fortunately, there was no major accident due to the low speed. All this demands a thorough investigation'

Rohan Ramesh, commuter
‘The crossover where the train derailed has been a problem. A similar derailment happened a few years ago. Yesterday [Sunday], during the block, sleepers were changed. The curve needs to be straightened'

8.09 am
Time incident occurred on Monday