Track Crack Disrupts Mumbai’s Central Line, Strands Commuters

Mumbai’s Central Railway services faced significant disruptions on Wednesday morning due to a crack in the railway track between Badlapur and Vangani stations. The issue, detected at 6:52 am, prompted immediate action from railway authorities, who implemented a temporary block to ensure passenger safety. Trains were initially restricted to a cautious speed of 10 kmph, with the limit later raised to 30 kmph by 7:46 am after temporary repairs were completed, according to Central Railway officials.

The disruption affected both local and express train services, causing delays of up to 20 minutes during the peak morning rush hour. Commuters, already accustomed to occasional interruptions on the Central Line due to issues like signal failures or overhead wire problems, expressed frustration over the recurring delays, particularly on weekdays. Such incidents have become a frequent challenge for the millions of passengers relying on the Central Railway’s suburban network. Authorities stated that full restoration of normal train speeds would require further maintenance during an extended block period.