In an unfortunate sequence of scenarios at the Neral-Vangani section, the train services were briefly disrupted on October 31. The services were suspended on the up line after the diesel locomotive of the Sanath Nagar (Secunderabad)-JNPT (Goods) train experienced a malfunction.
According to the preliminary report, the locomotive of the freight train developed a technical fault, which made the goods train come to a standstill on the main line. While the halt of the goods train in the middle did cause railway traffic chaos, the railway personnel immediately informed the control office, and attempts were made to restart the engine on site.
However, the nature of the failure prevented successful rectification on the spot, and therefore an additional locomotive was further deployed at the rear of the train. The assisting engine arrived within an hour and was coupled to the disabled locomotive at 09:15 am on October 31.
Given the blockage of the up line and increasing train congestion, this decision was promptly taken to dispatch an assisting locomotive from the rear to tow the failed train.
The halt of the Sanath Nagar (Secunderabad)–JNPT goods train blocked the main line of the route, further affecting both suburban and long-distance railway traffic.
During an hour-long halt of the goods train at the main line, the S-18 local train was detained, and subsequent suburban services faced cascading delays. Furthermore, long-distance trains, including Train No. 11010 (Pune–CSMT) and 12124 (Pune–CSMT), were also diverted via Panvel to minimise congestion. Freight movement in nearby sections was also briefly regulated.
Although the disruption caused temporary inconvenience, prompt action by the railway control room and other concerned authorities helped prevent prolonged delays and maintain operational safety across the network.
