Thane: Locomotive pilot's presence of mind helps avert major mishap at Kalwa

Thane: A locomotive pilot's presence of mind averted a major mishap after a tree from the Parsik tunnel fell at Mumbra and blocked track number 6 of the railway line between Thane and Kalyan station on Monday at around 8:45pm.

According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), Thane, the gulmohar tree near the Parsik tunnel fell on the track at around 8:45pm just moments before the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus- Bhagalpur express was about to arrive at the tunnel.

The loco pilot of the express train slammed the brakes when he reached the spot a few minutes later after the tree falling incident.

One of the officials from Central Railway informed that, " The lights from the engine must have helped the loco pilot to notice the fallen tree. As soon as we were alerted railway officials were present at the spot."

"Soon after receiving the complaint the RDMC team reached the spot and removed the tree within an hour. The services on the route were suspended till 10:45pm. After the tree was cleared services resumed. No casualty were reported." said RDMC chief Avinash Sawant.

Along with RDMC team, railway officials, Thane Municipal Corporation's tree department and the fire brigade were present on the spot.

Both local and express trains between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan on the central railway's main line pass through the Parsik tunnel near Mumbra.