Mumbai local train services were severely disrupted on Monday after a fire in a signalling relay room at Kanjurmarg shut down 24 signals between Bhandup and Vikhroli, while a separate overhead equipment problem affected services between Mulund and Thane. The disruptions led to cancellations, long delays and passengers walking along railway tracks towards nearby stations. A 21-year-old man also died while crossing the tracks at Bhandup station, according to the report.
The signalling failure began after a fire was reported in the Kanjurmarg station relay room at about 9.30 am. The incident brought signalling operations to a halt on six lines in the affected section and caused trains on both the up and down lines to slow or stop. Trains began bunching across the corridor, with several services standing one behind another. Long-distance trains were also reported to have been held at different locations.
The railway administration restored the down fast line at 4.10 pm, followed by the up fast line at 4.46 pm. The down slow line was restored at 5.30 pm and the up slow line at 6.18 pm. Four lines had been restored by 7 pm, but the report said the impact continued through the day, with many local trains running between one and two hours late. Several services were cancelled during the disruption.
The signalling incident was preceded by a separate problem between Mulund and Thane. At about 9.23 am, a piece of wire fell on the overhead equipment near Mulund, affecting the power supply for local services. The railway took an emergency power block at around 10 am, and repair work was completed by 10.48 am, after which the block was cancelled.
The delays on the main line also affected the Harbour Line later in the day. According to an official cited in the report, local trains were unable to reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on time because services were held at different points and were already running late. This created a shortage of motormen for Harbour Line operations. Twelve services were cancelled in the afternoon and another 10 in the evening, taking the total number of cancelled Harbour Line services to 22. Heavy crowds were reported at CSMT and other stations.
The disruption also exposed the risks created when stalled suburban services leave passengers without clear or immediate alternatives. The report said some commuters walked along the tracks towards nearby stations after trains remained stationary for long periods. Later in the day, Sahil Thite, a 21-year-old resident of Mulund, died while crossing the tracks at Bhandup station. The report attributed the death to track crossing, but did not provide further details about the circumstances or any official safety response.
Senior railway officials have formed a committee to investigate the Kanjurmarg relay-room fire. The immediate restoration of the remaining signalling systems and the committee’s inquiry are the next official steps identified in the report.
