Mumbai, November 6: Mumbai, November 6: Mumbai’s evening rush hour descended into chaos on Thursday as Central Railway employees halted suburban train operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) for nearly an hour. The sudden protest was staged in opposition to an FIR filed against two railway engineers in connection with the June 9 Mumbra train accident, which claimed five lives.
Train Services Halted at Peak Hours
According to Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Swapnil Nila, the protest began around 5.50 pm when employees stopped motormen and train managers from operating services. Train operations were suspended until 6.45 pm, leaving thousands of commuters stranded at one of Mumbai’s busiest stations.
With a daily footfall running into several lakhs, CSMT premises were packed with office-goers and travellers anxiously waiting for updates. Many passengers were seen rushing to nearby Metro Line 3 stations to find alternative routes home.
Commuters Face Disruption and Confusion
Posts on X read, “Has the motormen gone on strike?” while others reported, “No trains have left CSMT since 5.45 pm, the network is jammed.” Stations such as Masjid and Byculla also witnessed heavy congestion.
Protest Over FIR Against Engineers
The Government Railway Police (GRP) had registered an FIR against two engineers in the Mumbra accident, citing negligence. The probe found that a section of track replaced four days before the mishap had been left unwelded, leading to the derailment and the death of five passengers.
The National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) and Central Railway Mazdoor Union (CRMU) jointly launched Thursday’s protest, demanding that the FIR be withdrawn.
Railway Officials Assure Action
The agitation ended after senior Central Railway officials met the protesting employees and assured them that the matter would be taken up with state authorities. Services resumed gradually after an hour, restoring normal operations across the Central line.
With PTI Inputs
