An attempt by NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad and his supporters to stage a rail roko (rail block) at the suburban Kalwa station in neighbouring Thane district during peak office hours this morning was foiled by the railway security personnel, a senior official said. Awhad had given a call for agitation, which he dubbed as the 'mother of all protests', at Kalwa station today to protest against the "casual approach" of railway authorities towards the safety of suburban commuters after the stampede on the foot overbridge of Elphinstone Road station on Friday which killed 23 passengers. "Elaborate security arrangements were put in place which prevented the protesters from stopping the trains, however, they held up a 9.22 am local at Kalwa station," said a senior Central Railway official.

A rail Roko that was carried out at Badlapur. File photo