In a setback to Central Railway’s (CR) efforts to enhance safety and efficiency on the Harbour line, a repeat incident of train derailment occurred near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) during a trial run.
Following closely on the heels of the derailment just two days prior, this event underscores persistent challenges in track management and maintenance. The latest mishap unfolded as CR authorities were rigorously assessing the efficacy of recent track improvements subsequent to the derailment incident on April 29th. During a scheduled trial run to evaluate these enhancements, an empty rake, bound for CSMT from Masjid station, encountered derailment issues around 4.10 pm on Wednesday. Notably, the malfunction transpired on the very same stretch where the previous derailment had occurred, indicating a potential systemic issue requiring urgent attention. Despite meticulous planning, including a designated rail block from 2 pm to 4 pm on the public holiday, repair works, and the trial run were marred by unforeseen derailments. CR, compelled to cancel 14 services due to the incident, now faces heightened scrutiny regarding its infrastructure management protocols. In response to the recurrent derailments, CR had previously instituted a speed restriction of 10 kmph at the crossover point connecting platforms 1 and 2 of CSMT. However, this precautionary measure appears insufficient in mitigating derailment risks, necessitating a re-evaluation of safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance strategies.
A CR official, commenting on the latest setback, emphasised that comprehensive restoration efforts were swiftly initiated, with the derailed coach re-railed by 6.25 pm. Nevertheless, the ensuing repair works on the tracks further compounded service disruptions and underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent future occurrences. With the inquiry report on the initial derailment pending, stakeholders await comprehensive insights into the root causes of these incidents and anticipate actionable recommendations to fortify rail safety standards across the CR network. As authorities grapple with the aftermath of successive derailments, restoring public trust and confidence in the reliability of rail services remains paramount. Due to the derailment, CR had to put CSMT’s platforms 1 and 2 out of use, with Panvel-bound trains on the Harbour line being directed to platform 3. Dr Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer of Central Railway, explained that the tracks near CSMT have a special layout that requires additional maintenance. “It is a regular practice to conduct trial runs after completing the correction of defects,” he said.
