Mumbai’s Central Railway suburban services faced major disruptions on Monday morning after two back-to-back technical issues hit the network during peak hours.
A fire (or smoke incident) broke out in the relay room at Kanjurmarg station, knocking out the signalling system. At almost the same time, a foreign wire was found hanging from the overhead equipment between Mulund and Thane. Railway officials had to take an emergency power block to remove the wire, which further slowed down services.
As a result, local trains on the Central Line started running 20 to 90 minutes late. Many trains got bunched up, platforms became overcrowded, and some frustrated passengers were even seen walking along the tracks. Commuters heading towards CSMT from Thane, Kalyan, and beyond faced the worst of the chaos.
Central Railway officials confirmed both issues and said services were gradually restored after the wire was cleared and signalling work progressed. They apologised for the inconvenience and asked passengers to bear with the delays.
For a city that depends so heavily on its local trains, Monday’s double trouble once again highlighted how quickly a technical snag can throw the entire morning rush into disarray.
