Mumbai’s suburban and long-distance train services came to a sudden halt on Friday evening after a fault in the overhead electric (OHE) wire system near Palghar station disrupted operations, triggering delays and stranding hundreds of commuters.
The technical snag, which occurred around 6:55 pm, impacted both up and down routes on the Western Railway network. Officials from the railway division confirmed that the cause of the disruption was an OHE wire issue near Palghar, located more than 100 kilometres from the city. According to railway officials, a tower wagon – a specialised maintenance vehicle for overhead electrical faults – was dispatched to the site for urgent rectification. However, until late Friday night, train movement remained disrupted on the affected stretch.
The timing of the fault dealt a significant blow to evening peak-hour commuters, particularly office-goers and daily wage workers heading home from Mumbai to suburbs and outstation towns. Several long-distance trains, in addition to suburban locals, were reported to be held up on tracks for extended durations, increasing commuter distress. This incident is the latest in a series of disruptions that have highlighted the vulnerability of Mumbai’s railway infrastructure during the monsoon. The Western Railway has yet to ascertain the root cause of the fault, but officials acknowledged that such wire failures typically occur due to material fatigue, poor maintenance, or sudden weather-related stress.
A senior railway engineer from the Western division, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted the fault had not been foreseen during routine inspections. “We are working to isolate and resolve the issue quickly. But until it is addressed, train services will continue to face delays,” the official said. Meanwhile, on another front, the city’s suburban rail network also faced an unrelated disruption following a scuffle aboard a Ladies Special train. A viral video circulated on social media showed a heated altercation among women commuters, allegedly over boarding space near the door. The fight, which began as a verbal spat, soon turned physical, causing panic among fellow passengers.
Officials from the Railway Police confirmed the incident occurred on a Churchgate to Virar local train near Bhayandar station during the evening rush hour. On-duty personnel from the Railway Protection Force and Maharashtra State Force intervened and escorted the involved passengers off the train. Following the incident, both women involved were taken to the Bhayandar Railway Police Post for questioning. However, according to authorities, neither party registered a complaint, and the matter was resolved mutually after counselling.
Railway officials reiterated the need for better behavioural conduct on trains and promised to increase patrolling during peak hours, especially on women-only trains. “Passenger safety and comfort is our priority. Incidents like this are not common but are taken seriously,” said an official from the Western Railway’s operations division. As of late Friday evening, efforts to restore services between Palghar and Mumbai were ongoing. Though partial movement resumed on certain stretches, full restoration could take several hours. Commuters have been advised to check updates before planning their journeys.
The twin setbacks — an infrastructure fault and an onboard altercation — have once again underscored the systemic issues facing Mumbai’s heavily burdened local train network, which carries over 7.5 million passengers daily. While the railway remains the city’s lifeline, the latest disruptions have raised concerns about its resilience, especially during critical weather periods. In a city dependent on punctual trains, every minute of delay adds to the chaos. As officials work round the clock to restore services and maintain commuter confidence, Mumbai’s rail infrastructure must address long-standing vulnerabilities to meet the growing demand of a rapidly urbanising population.
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