WR mishap, Vikhroli blast spread panic

The motorman, B B Sagar (35), operating the 15 Down local left Churchgate terminus at 4.40 AM and passed Goregaon station at about 5.30 AM when the overhead cable equipment broke and shattering the bullet proof look-out glass of the train.

Sagar sustained injuries on his chest and hands as did gangman Chetia J (34) who was maintaining the equipment.

The duo were immediately rushed to the WR’s Jagjivanram Hospital at Mumbai Central where they are being treated, and reportedly will be discharged soon.

Meanwhile, on the Central line, a mysterious explosion occurred near the railway track at the suburban Vikhroli early today. There were, however, no casualties or damage to the rail line adjoining Tagorenagar in Vikhroli. Explosive experts collected remains of some explosive material from the spot for examination. The blast took place at around 1 AM and was reported by a mobile police van to the Mumbai police control.

News of the blast was telephonically communicated to the railway control by a motorman at around 12.10 AM after the overhead equipment mast was damaged due the blast. Nearby huts too were affected by the blast, though no injuries were reported.

Railway police SP K Ramachandran told media persons that the possibility of sabotage could not be ruled out in the blast case though no motive could yet be attributed.

The two incidents triggered off a cascading effect throughout the city today as rumours of a bomb blast spread.

According to the Western Railway spokesperson, suburban trains scheduled to run on the slow corridors were diverted to the fast track between Andheri and Borivali as restoration work ensued. Western Railway General Manager V D Gupta rushed to the site with other senior officials.

Normalcy was restored at around 4.30 PM until which suburban services were run on open timings between Andheri and Borivali. The 2951 Dn Rajdhani Express which was to leave Mumbai Central at 4.55 PM was rescheduled to depart at 6.55 PM.

Consequent to the Western Railway mishap commuters’ tempers rose as services remained paralysed. A motorman was slapped by a commuter at Andheri station at around 1.30 PM when a Virar bound train was left stranded at the station. At 3.15 PM motormen called for a flash strike at Churchgate station following the incident.

They demanded immediate police protection before operating the locals. The strike was called off half-an-hour later when the motormen were provided protection.