More than 100 trains cancelled; angry passengers claim local stopped to allow mail train to pass
Train services were disrupted on Central Railway’s Kalyan-Kasara route after angry commuters blocked the track for three hours when a local train was delayed at Titwala station. As it was a working day and peak hours, several stranded commuters jumped on to the tracks and stopped the trains, which led to the cancellation of more than 100 services.
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According to railway officials, there was a power block between Atgaon and Khadavli stations. The power block was mainly to check the electric supply to the overhead wire, which was supposed to end by 4.15 am, but was delayed by more than one hour.
A Titwala-CST bound train, which was supposed to leave at 5.55 am from Titwala, was then held up for at least 20 minutes to make way for an express train. This led to a huge rush at the platform and chaos at the station.
Commuters have alleged that this was not the first time that the train was held up to allow a mail train to pass.
President of the Kalyan-Kasar-Karjat Passenger Association, Rajesh Gangav, said, “We have sent a list of our issues to railway authorities. There was a problem in October and then again in November. We have also complained to the railway authorities about the continuous delays, but nothing has happened to date.” He said, “This time, we decided to jump onto the tracks. This happens every time as our trains are held up and mail trains allowed to pass.”
While locals on both sides were running 20 minutes late, commuters sat on the tracks from 5.55 am to 8.55 am. Finally, the police managed to convince commuters to clear the block. Meanwhile, authorities started plying extra buses to minimise the problems of those stranded.
CPRO Narendra Patil said, “We even halted one of the long distance trains at Titwala at 5.50 am asking people to board it. But, some of them simply decided start a rail roko. The rail roko was finally dispersed at 8.55 am.”
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