A Central Railway motorman’s heroic efforts saved inordinate delay as the motorman continued driving the train for 18 kms despite being attacked with chilli powder on Saturday.
According to India Today, the motorman was identified as Laxman Singh, who was piloting the CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus )-Titwala down local train on Saturday afternoon when some unidentified attackers threw chilli powder at the motorman’s cabin just as he had crossed Kalva railway station. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon around 3.35 pm when Singh was piloting the local train further after informing the control room about the chilli powder attack.
For his heroic effort, Singh was felicitated on Monday with an appreciation certificate and a cash reward of Rs 1000. CPRO Central Railways Sunil Udasi told India Today, “The DRM Central Railways felicitated Singh for his exemplary service with a certificate and a cash prize. Also, the process of filing a police complaint against the miscreants has been initiated.”
Even with severe burning sensation in his eyes, he decided to bear the pain because the train was running at 95 kmph and if he would have halted the train, it would have led to an inordinate delay on the Central line. At Mumbra station some officials met him, where Singh was informed that the replacement wasn’t possible for him there, after which he chose to pilot the local. The DY Station Superintendent accompanied him in the motorman’s cabin.
At Diva station, Singh washed his eyes and kept on doing to the same at Dombivali and Thakurli stations. At 4.12 pm, he reached Kalyan where he was relieved by railway officials and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Later, after medication, he was allowed to go home.
