Mumbai: Not enough support from railways, says mayor on waterlogging; CR refutes claim

Waterlogging in Chunabhatti station. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

The local train services on Central and Harbour line came to a grinding halt on Wednesday as heavy rain lashed Mumbai. The Railway officials said that the services were stopped as a precautionary measure.

"Due to heavy rains in suburbs and water logging between Sion- Kurla, the train services between CSMT-Kurla have been suspended from 9.50 am as precautionary measures. Services on other sections are running," Central Railway chief public relations officer, Shivaji Sutar, said.

However, Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar claimed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not receive enough support from the railways which caused waterlogging on tracks and incovenience to passengers.

"We are not getting support from the Railways as expected on the issue of clearing railway tracks following rainfall here," she told the media.

Central Railway CRPO refuted Pednekar's claims saying, ""We refute the allegations that Railways is not cooperating. We are continuously conducting meetings with officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation so that we can deliver the best service to our passengers," he said.

Also Read: Mumbai Rains: IMD issues red alert; very heavy rainfall in city for next 4 days

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, and neighbouring Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places there during the day. "As per latest satellite observations, Mumbai city and suburbs are very likely to experience moderate to intense spells of rainfall (2-3cm/hr) during next 3-4 hrs. Possibility of thunder lightning at isolated places," the IMD Mumbai said in its forecast at 2.30 pm.