Thane train accident update -Travel to Thane via Kurla-Vashi-Thane route

Following the Thane train accident (23rd October 2009)and disruption of services, the railway authorities have taken a fast and smart step to ensure that commuters reach their destinations without much difficulty. Announcements are being made and notice boards been placed at stations that if commuters want to travel to Thane they can go to Kurla, take a train to Vashi and then take the Vashi - Thane train.

Though it is a good move, there is quite some panic among the passengers. Getting in and out of the train is extremely tough. Worst is the platform number 7 of Kurla from where people can board the train to Vashi. At 6:30 pm, when I took the last bridge (Vashi end footover bridge) the platform was so packed that the crowd was standing even at the base of the bridge. Of course, I managed to somehow get in the train since ladies first class was not crowded. But I am sure it had been very tough for the men and the female commuters taking the second class. At every station,we could hear men shouting and stuffing themselves inside the compartments. One bad day in Mumbai local trains :(

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Train accident between Thane and Mulund, Pipeline falls on Central line train

A water pipeline fell on a moving train between Thane and Mulund stations today (23rd October 2009). The train was moving from CST to Kalyan i.e. Central Railway's mainline. The incident happened around 10:45 am. As of now, there is news of six commuters being injured. I hope there are no casualties. The motorman (driver) and some passengers are trapped under the debris.

Obviously, train services are affected as the debris is being removed. In fact a few trains are stuck at some stations. A source tells me that there is a lot of water wastage happening due to the pipe burst and the flooding due to it is affecting the operations.

UPDATE - Kurla station is very crowded now at 6.30 pm

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Mathura Train Accident - Goa Express Rammed into Mewar Express

Goa Express from Vasco and Mewar Express from Udaipur were about to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin station on their way to Delhi on 21st October 2009. Apparently, Mewar Express had halted on its track near Mathura when Goa Express moving on the same track rammed into the last bogey of Mewar Express. Unbelievable but true. Innocent passengers, who perhaps were on their way back after Diwali vacation, had to suffer. For no fault of theirs, they are in pain, physical and mental.

Now what? Inquiries? Blame game? Politics? It will continue for a while and the news about the accident will fade away in a few weeks (or days). Only those unfortunate victims of the train accident will have the shock engraved in their minds. When are we going to be serious about safety issues? Two trains on the same track at the same time? It is such a shame. The same railway authorities that make us proud by helping thousands of passengers reach their destination every single day, make us feel ashamed of them with such carelessness. I think they 'realize' that they must do something about such fatal accidents. The question is - are they really doing something about it?

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Thane Vashi trains getting crowded by the day

When I started travelling from Koparkhairane to Vashi in the morning peak hours, it used to be great. More often than not, I'd get a place to sit and travel super-comfortably. But gradually, commuters in Thane-Vashi line are increasing and it's close to packed in some trains during the morning peak hours. I am talking about the tiny ladies first class compartment, don't know much about the rest. In any case, I really think they should increase the frequency of trains in this line. Also, we need trains after 11:10 pm too. Can't believe the last train from Vashi to Thane leaves at 11:10!

Latest update:
New timetable has been introduced from February 2012: Thane Vashi Local Train Time Table 2012

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Indicators working at Koparkhairane station

Last week I was surprised when I reached Navi Mumbai’s Koparkhairane station to board my regular train to Vashi. The indicators were operational and announcements were being made!

Until now, there used to be quite some confusion at the Koparkhairane platforms! Firstly, the frequency of trains is bad, so if you miss one train and you aren’t carrying a timetable, you have no idea how long you’d have to wait.

Secondly, since trains for Vashi as well as Nerul / Panvel arrive at the same platform, every time you board a train at the last minute, you need to ask the fellow commuters about the train’s destination. Not anymore, and it’s such a relief! Add to it that the railway announcements are very clear too!

Now, let’s hope for more trains in this route.

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Police firing at Mumbai's Nallasopara station - Video

Police fired in the air at around 10:55 am at Nallasopara station to disperse the agitated crowd. Commuters were furious following delay in train services. Watch the Times Now video on this news:



Video Courtesy: Times Now, iStream.in

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Chaos at Nalasopara railway station; Police opens fire

Today (September 1), the crowd really got violent at Nallasopara station due to the delay in local train services. So much so that the police had to open fire in the air to disperse the people! After all, commuters blocked railway tracks and disrupted services (the same commuters who were annoyed by the delay now added to the delay).

Earlier, an overhead power cable had snapped near Borivali station and then followed late arrival and departure of trains. Worst, this happened at peak hours. As a result, local trains between Borivli and Virar were running late by almost half-an-hour.

Gradually, commuters at Nalasopara station started losing patience, came on the tracks and started protesting against the railways. When cops arrived, they had to face the brunt as angry commuters started pelting stones on them. Eventually, police had to lathi-charge and open fire in the air.

I understand commuters getting furious, I would have lost my temper too in such a situation. But pelting stones??? That was totally uncalled for. Come on guys, aren’t we making things worse? Pelting stones would only result in hurting some of us and breaking window panes of the trains. And then we’ll complain about broken windows. When we expect the railways to improve (and it is trying too), we too must behave better, shouldn’t we? THINK.

By the way, Western line trains were delayed even yesterday (August 31) due to a technical snag at Bhayander station.

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14th to 16th August MEGA BLOCK - First and last Harbour line trains timing

As reported earlier, the 48-hour long Mumbai local trains mega block on Central and Harbour lines will start from 14th August 2009. The mega block might cause some inconvenience to the commuters, but we shouldn’t mind since it’s for a good purpose – remodeling of Masjid station.
Now if you are planning to travel by local trains just before / after the mega block, you may want to keep the timings handy. Listed below is the timetable of Harbour Line local trains to and from CST station on 14th to 16th August:

Harbour Line - 14th August Train Timings
Last local train from CST station - 10 pm
Last local train to reach CST station - 9:56 pm

Harbour Line - 15th August Train Timings
No trains will leave from CST or arrive at CST

Harbour Line - 16th August Train Timings
First local train from CST station – 11:50 pm
First local train to reach CST station – 11:33 pm

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