08 December,2015 07:34 AM IST | | Shashank Rao
A day after the CR cancelled the mega block, which is aimed at repairing the tracks, services were stuck for 30 mins near Diva station due to a rail fracture
The Central Railway seems to be in trouble as the most complained about route - Thane to Kalyan - was again in peril due to a rail fracture near Diva station yesterday morning. This happened a day after the mega block was cancelled.
Out of the 14, who died due to railway accidents, 11 deaths occurred on the central route. Representation pic
The incident occurred at 7am affecting morning train services and stations saw a rush as trains were stuck behind one another while the rail workers were busy replacing the fractured rail.
"We managed to repair the fracture in less than 30 minutes and revive the train services," said a railway official. This incident brought back the fear of accidents among rail authorities who have been discussing ways to deal with rail accidents on the suburban section in the committee meetings.
Deadly central
The rail authorities have received several complaints about the Thane-Kalyan stretch. For instance, on Sunday, when 14 people died on the suburban lines, 11 of the death occurred on the central route and three on the western.
Between Thane and Kalyan alone, three deaths were reported. "Every year there is over crowding in the local trains on December 6 on the occasion of B R Ambedkar's death anniversary. We try our best to manage them," said a railway police official.
Panel disagrees
Despite the incessant troubles being faced by the Central Railway, the accident committee refuses to function smoothly. In the panel's recent meet, MPs and railway authorities disagreed with each other over accidents and funding of rail projects.
MP Kirit Somaiya told mid-day that the Central Railway authorities claimed that short-term plans like introducing 15-car trains is not viable as the execution would require a lot of technical changes.
Somaiya yesterday sent a letter to the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu complaining about the railway authorities. "We are disturbed by the CR's conduct, disrespect towards commuters, MPs and even railway minister.
The railway minister had announced short term and long term plans. He had also announced most trains to have 15 coaches, However the general manager of CR said it is absurd and not possible," said the MP in the letter.
