Two commuters died after a speeding train near Sandhurst Road station ran over five people following disruptions due to a flash strike organised by railway workers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) during the evening rush hours on Thursday. Those mowed down by the train were walking on the tracks, as trains had halted for a long time due to the stir.
The agitation that brought Central Railway (CR) operations to a standstill was carried out in protest of the FIR filed against railway engineers in connection with the Mumbra tragedy, leading to the complete collapse of the timetable as no trains operated from CSMT between 5.50 pm and 6.45 pm, leading to chaos as all intermediate stations and leaving thousands of office-goers were stranded.
Domino effect
The 55-minute suspension led to complete chaos on all CR stations. The doors of AC locals in motion wouldn’t close, and the trains were operated with doors ajar. At junctions like Dadar, Kurla, Wadala, and Thane, the rush was unmanageable. A few local trains en route to CSMT were short-terminated at Thane and sent back, leading to localised protests by commuters.
The protest
The National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) and Central Railway Mazdoor Union (CRMU) jointly launched Thursday’s protest, demanding that the FIR be withdrawn. The protest began around 5.50 pm when protesting engineers stopped motormen and train managers from operating services. The agitation at CSMT ended after senior CR officials met the protesting engineers and assured them that the matter would be taken up with state authorities. Services resumed gradually after this. A CR spokesperson said, “Train services were stopped at CSMT. Four persons walking on the track near Sandhurst Road have been injured by the moving local train. They have been taken to the hospital for treatment.”
The Thane GRP had registered an FIR on Monday against two CR engineers — Vishal Dolas and Samar Yadav — in the accident case for core engineering and maintenance lapses under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(a) (acts endangering human life and personal safety of others), 125(b) (rash and negligent acts that result in grievous hurt) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
According to the FIR, a copy of which is with mid-day, Mumbra and nearby localities had witnessed heavy rainfall in the last week of May and the first week of June this year, which led to waterlogging on the tracks. As a result, some parts had lost ground support. Subsequently, tracks were changed on June 5. However, the FIR states, the tracks were not levelled and were tilted towards each other when the incident took place. The Government Railway Police had consulted the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute for expert advice on the technical matter.
‘No announcement led to mishap’
Stranded with no information or announcement, commuters who got stuck in the train for nearly an hour at CSMT due to a sudden protest by Central Railway employees decided to alight and walk to the nearest station. That’s when the tragedy struck. “Why cannot there be announcements inside the trains to update passengers?” asked commuter association member Subhash Gupta. He added, “They [the commuters] would not have jumped from the train had there been announcements informing and updating them.”
The body of Haily Mohamaya being brought to JJ Hospital; (right) Yafiza Chougale being shifted from JJ Hospital. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR
“There was not a single announcement at any of the stations either. This is sheer madness. How do they manage the railways like this? Commuters are left without a clue and had no idea that there was such a big disruption,” said Shekhar Siddhaye, a commuter. “The Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh strongly condemns the unlawful and insensitive behaviour of railway employees and administration, who have put the lives of passengers at risk — the very passengers whose fares keep the railways running,” added Desai.
Five hit by train; two killed
The victims were taken to JJ Hospital. The two dead include a 45-year-old unidentified male and Haily Mohamaya, 19. Of the three injured, Haily’s aunt, Khushbu Mohamaya, has a right shoulder dislocation and face abrasions, with the possibility of severe internal injuries. Kaif Chougale, 22, complained of abdominal pain when brought in, while his mother, Yafiza Chougale, suffered severe head injuries. Yafiza had to be given CPR for 15-17 minutes and was later intubated by doctors at JJ Hospital. However, the mother and son took a discharge against medical advice.
– Ritika Gondhalekar
