Mumbai local chaos: Central Railway suburban services hit; long-distance trains affected

Mumbai's bustling local train system, serving as the city's vital artery, faced significant disruptions on Tuesday after repeated mismanagement of a level crossing at Diva. The chaos ensued when the crossing was opened multiple times for road traffic, from 12.11 pm to 12.21 pm, causing a cascade of delays to both suburban and long-distance trains.

Railway officials attributed the issue to the level crossing (LC-29) being opened for an extended period, leading to a massive backlog that rippled through the entire suburban network. The disruption affected a slew of trains, with PK11, TAN3, and K43 on the down line, as well as S21 and A21 on the down Thane line, all experiencing delays.

On the up side, trains such as A30, TL28, and BL24 on the slow line, along with K54, BL24, and 12321 on the Thane line, were also impacted. Moreover, the incident at Diva was not a one-off; it had occurred twice before, each time for over 12 minutes, exacerbating the situation. The disruptions were felt acutely at Ghatkopar station, where a 10.35 am local train only departed around 11.23 am, adding to the woes of commuters.

The incidents unfolded during the morning peak, when the Central Railway’s suburban network was inundated with passengers, leading to prolonged delays and congested stations, particularly on routes traversing Diva and Ghatkopar.