Bamboo falls on overhead wire between Sion-Matunga; Mumbai local train commuters face disruption

Fast local train services were held up for a long time, affecting office-goers and other passengers. Many commuters chose to walk along the tracks, visuals of which surfaced online.

Date: July 24, 2024

The local train services on the Central Railway (CR) network were impacted on Wednesday morning, July 24, due to a technical snag. This resulted in a delay of all local trains by nearly 15 minutes.

According to an update by the Senior Divisional Operations Manager (Coaching) of the Mumbai Division, CR, bamboo from a construction site fell onto the overhead equipment (OHE) wire between Sion and Matunga stations on the UP TH line, disrupting suburban services.

Bamboo from a construction site has fallen onto the overhead equipment (OHE) wire between Sion and Matunga stations on the UP TH line, causing disruption in suburban services

— Sr DOM Coaching, Mumbai-CR (@srdomcogbbcr) July 24, 2024

Fast local train services were held up for a long time, affecting office-goers and other passengers. Many commuters chose to walk along the tracks, visuals of which surfaced online.

#Mumbai local : Train services on the Main Line were disrupted this morning due to a bamboo structure falling on an overhead wire between Sion & Matunga stations. Commuters faced an hour-long delay, with some walking on tracks, risking their safety. #MumbaiTrains #CentralRailway pic.twitter.com/wige5mDHJt

— Mumbai Pulse (@PulseMumbai) July 24, 2024

A local train in the Up direction was stranded for nearly 35 minutes (7.45 am to 8.20 am) on the Up fast line due to overhead wire issues. Later, a few trains were diverted on a slow line causing a delay of 15 minutes.

Mumbai | Central Railway locals are delayed by 15 minutes due to a technical issue between Matunga and Sion stations. A local train in Up direction was stranded for nearly 35 minutes (7.45 am to 8.20 am) on Up fast line due to overhead wire issue. Few trains were diverted on slow…

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

The incident also affected the operation of express trains, including the Howrah – CSMT Express and several suburban services. However, prompt action was taken by railway officials upon receiving the alert, with authorities swiftly mobilizing to the site. Sources said that the obstruction was successfully cleared by approximately 8:20 am, allowing traffic to resume on the previously affected section.

Central Railway’s chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila stated that the bamboo structure was erected around a building adjacent to the railway line.

“The bamboo pole that had fallen on the overhead equipment between Sion and Matunga was removed at 8:25, and traffic on the up-fast local line has been restored,” Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief PRO of CR, shared on X.

Despite the quick responses, the incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining uninterrupted rail services, particularly during peak hours.

The Central Railway operates approximately 1,810 suburban services on four corridors: Mainline, Harbour line, Trans-Harbour line, and Belapur-Uran line.