21 September,2015 07:08 AM IST | | Shashank Rao
While the first fracture was spotted between Asangaon and Atgaon stations around 9.30 am on Sunday, the second one was located between King’s Circle and Mahim station around 6.20 pm
It looks like passengers on the Central line are destined to face commuting woes. Already reeling under the pressure of a megablock, services on the Main and Harbour line went from bad to worse after fractures were detected on the Main and Harbour lines yesterday.
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The ruptured track between Asangaon and Atgaon stations was spotted by the motorman operating a Kasara-bound train, who then immediately informed the stationmaster's office at Atgaon
Commuters complained that services were running at least 20 minutes behind schedule, resulting in overcrowded trains and ugly verbal duels between frustrated commuters.
Case I
Around 9.30 am, a major crack was discovered on tracks between Asangaon and Atgaon stations on the up line (towards CST). Sources claimed the motorman operating a Kasara-bound train spotted the defect and immediately informed the stationmaster's office at Atgaon.
The message was later relayed to the Asangaon station master. "It could have been a major disaster because the fracture was over a foot long. The fracture was discovered just minutes before a long-distance train was to pass.
Despite sending numerous reminders to improve infrastructure, the railways are hardly doing anything," said Rajesh Gangav, president of Kalyan, Karjat, Kasara Railway Pravasi Sanghatana.
Railway officials claimed the fracture was treated immediately and services were restored on the line by 10.30 am. When questioned about the possible reason for the fracture, they blamed it on the heavy rains and fluctuating temperatures.
Case II
Similarly, another fracture was spotted on tracks between Kings Circle and Mahim stations around 6.20 pm. While the track was repaired by 7.15 pm, services towards Andheri were badly affected.
Commuters complained that trains were running at least 20 minutes behind schedule. Several took the risk of completing their journey between the two stations by walking along the tracks despite the downpour.
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Commenting on the fracture, Amitabh Ojha, divisional railway manager (Mumbai), CR, said, "It is quite possible that the temperature might have dipped due to heavy rains. This could have resulted in contraction of the tracks, eventually leading to a fracture."
Woeful journey
With the megablock already in place between Thane and Kalyan - from 10.30 am to 3 pm - fast trains were halting at Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Bhandup and Mulund. In addition, several fast trains on the down line were diverted on to the slow line between Thane and Kalyan.
Unlike Central Main, where trains were diverted during the megablock, all services remained suspended from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm after a megablock was imposed between Masjid Bunder-Chunabhatti and Wadala Road-Mahim.
