The aftermath of heavy rainfall led to the suspension of local train services in Maharashtra’s Thane district, adjacent to Mumbai, on Sunday morning, July 7. Officials reported that the train services have been severely impacted, particularly between Kasara and Titwala stations due to waterlogging on tracks between Vashind and Khadavli stations on the Kalyan-Kasara route.
This disruption has caused long-distance trains to be diverted or short terminated. Railway authorities declared the tracks on the busy Kalyan-Kasara route “unsafe” around 6:30 AM, following soil erosion between Atgaon and Thansit stations due to the heavy rainfall. Adding to the woes, a tree fell and blocked the tracks near Vashind station, further complicating the situation. “Train services between Kasara and Titwala have been suspended temporarily,” a Central Railway (CR) spokesperson stated. Another spokesperson from the Central Railway highlighted additional complications, mentioning that an overhead equipment (OHE) pole tilted, causing the pantograph of a train to get entangled near Vashind. Efforts are underway to restore normalcy, with railway officials working diligently to clear the tracks and ensure the resumption of services at the earliest.
The suburban local train services, often referred to as the lifeline of Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, including Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, cater to more than 30 lakh daily commuters. The suspension and disruption of these services have had a significant impact on daily commuters and the overall transportation network. Several trains were affected due to waterlogging between Vasind and Khadavli. Train No. 20705 J – CSMT Vande Bharat Express was short terminated at IGP, while Train No. 20706 CSMT – J Vande Bharat Express short originated from IGP. Multiple trains were diverted via the DIVA – BSR – JL route, including Train No. 12534 CSMT – LJN Pushpak Express, Train No. 12519 LTT – AGTL Express, and Train No. 12336 LTT – BGP Express. Additionally, trains such as Train No. 11060 CPR – LTT EXP JCO (06.07.2024), Train No. 12294 PRYJ – LTT Durronto EXP JCO (06.07.2024), Train No. 12742 PNBE – VSG EXP (06.07.2024), and Train No. 14314 BE – LTT EXP JCO (06.07.2024) were rerouted via JL- BSR – DIVA. As Mumbai continues to experience heavy rainfall, the city’s rail infrastructure faces significant challenges. Authorities remain on high alert, working tirelessly to manage the disruptions and restore normal services to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters.
