Another official informed PTI that the motorman’s coach experienced derailment as the train was approaching CSMT on platform 2.
Derailments at CSMT: Challenges and Response
An empty local train on the Harbour Line derailed near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Wednesday afternoon. This was the second derailment in three days at the same spot, causing delays on the CSMT-Panvel section and inconvenience to passengers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident happened around 4:10 pm during a trial run of the train near CSMT, according to Swapnil Nila, the chief public relations officer of Central Railway.
The motorman’s coach had two wheels come off the track as the train was nearing CSMT on platform 2, according to another official speaking to PTI. Earlier, a Harbor Line local train derailed at the same location on Monday, causing traffic disruptions for hours, though no injuries were reported. In Mumbai, an empty local train on the Harbour Line derailed near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Wednesday afternoon, the second such incident in three days, causing delays on the CSMT-Panvel section. Passengers complained of severe delays and overcrowding. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the incident, which happened during a trial run near CSMT around 4:10 pm. The derailment occurred as the train was entering CSMT on platform number 2.
This is the second derailment at the same spot in three days, with the previous incident occurring on Monday. Despite disruptions, railway authorities managed to re-rail the coach within two hours using a Road Accident Relief Train from Kurla. Services on platforms one and two of the Harbour line resumed by 7:41 pm after safety checks. To manage the rush, local train services were diverted to platform number 3 of CSMT.
Passengers said trains were excessively late and packed, especially on the Harbour Line platforms. An ambulance driver shared, “I finally boarded a local train to Panvel from CSMT after a 30-minute wait.” Nila explained that the train derailed during a trial near CSMT station. The train was being moved from Sanpada car shed to CSMT when the incident happened at a crossover point.
He mentioned that the area near CSMT has a unique layout with a special turnout. This layout needs extra maintenance, and it’s standard procedure to conduct a trial after fixing any issues. During the trial, the train was running at a speed of 15 kmph.
Nila mentioned that a two-hour block took place from 2 pm to 4 pm before the trial, following maintenance work completed on Tuesday night and earlier that day. The block occurred on Maharashtra Day, a public holiday. It was conducted at CSMT’s platform number 3, as Central Railway had sufficient space to operate local trains. In total, 14 services were cancelled by evening.
