Mumbai local train services were disrupted on Monday after a fire in a signalling hut at Kanjurmarg knocked out about 24 signals across six lines, while a separate overhead equipment incident affected the Mulund-Thane section. Central Railway cancelled 80 suburban services, delayed long-distance trains and reported the death of a 21-year-old passenger at Bhandup amid the disruption.
The signalling failure occurred at about 9.33am after a fire broke out in the signalling hut, according to Central Railway chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila. Signals went blank between Vikhroli and Bhandup, severely restricting train movements on the Main Line. Railway personnel introduced alternative operating procedures, including A-board authority and absolute block working, under which trains could move only after prescribed safety clearances.
The restrictions reduced the frequency of train movements and caused delays to accumulate. Several commuters were reportedly stranded inside stationary trains for between 70 and 90 minutes. Some passengers walked along railway tracks while services continued intermittently on adjoining lines, creating a safety risk.
The passenger who died was identified as Sahil Thite, a resident of Amar Nagar in Mulund Colony. According to the report, Thite had alighted from a train at Bhandup’s platform 4 and was attempting to reach platform 3 to board another local when he was hit by a train. The circumstances that led him to cross the tracks have not been established.
The disruption followed a separate incident at about 9.23am, when an external wire was found hanging from the overhead equipment on the down slow line between Mulund and Thane. Railway officials imposed a power block at 10am to remove the obstruction. The affected section was restored at about 10.48am. Railway officials said an insulator on the down local line burst after the wire fell on it.
The Kanjurmarg signalling system was restored in stages. Audio-frequency track circuits, which detect the presence of trains within specific track sections, became functional on the down through line at 4.10pm and on the up through line at 4.45pm. The down local signal was restored at 5.30pm, followed by the up slow line signal at 6.18pm.
Of the 80 cancelled services, 60 were on the Main Line and 20 were on the Harbour Line. Harbour Line operations were also affected by a shortage of available train crews as personnel and resources were diverted or caught up in the Main Line disruption. The impact extended to long-distance services, with both arrivals and departures delayed by the restrictions and cascading operational effects.
Central Railway operates 1,820 suburban services across its Mumbai network each day, including 894 on the Main Line, 614 on the Harbour Line, 262 on the Trans-Harbour Line and 50 on the Port Line. Nila said a senior-level inquiry would be conducted to establish the cause of the fire in the signalling relay room. Railway officials have listed excessive heat or an electrical-system snag among the suspected causes, but a final determination is awaited.
