Railway Workers’ Protest Causes Chaos at CSMT, Train Kills 2 Commuters
Chaos erupted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Thursday evening as a protest by Central Railway (CR) employees caused significant disruptions to suburban services. The protest began around 4:30 PM and escalated within an hour, leading to a near-total halt of train services during peak travel times.
Protest Causes Standstill
The protest was triggered following an FIR against two CR engineers related to a June 9 incident in Mumbra. In that event, five commuters fell from a moving train. The employees gathered outside the motormen’s lobby, blocking access and bringing operations to a standstill for over an hour.
Casualties and Injuries
Tragically, two commuters lost their lives and three others sustained injuries after being struck by a local train near Sandhurst Road station as stranded passengers walked along the tracks. The deceased were:
- Hailey Momaiya, 19
- Unknown male commuter
The injured, brought to J J Hospital, included:
- Yafisa Chogle, 62
- Khusbu Momaiya, 45
- Kaif Chogle, 22 (who refused admission after treatment)
Service Disruption and Passenger Chaos
Train services, which had been halted, gradually resumed around 6:45 PM. However, the disruption affected thousands of commuters. Many passengers vented their frustration by walking on the tracks. A police official noted that the incident occurred at approximately 6:50 PM when five passengers exited a stalled train and were subsequently hit by a down fast local.
Management Response
S.K. Dube, the divisional secretary of the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS), stated that the protest aimed to contest what they deemed an “unjustified FIR” based on a flawed technical report. The union demanded the withdrawal of the FIR, which they claimed included inappropriate charges against the employees involved.
After negotiations with senior officials, including Divisional Railway Manager Hiresh Mina, the protest was called off at 6:45 PM. Dube expressed the necessity of addressing the employee grievances through proper channels rather than disrupting passenger services.
Impact on Commuters
The consequences of the protest extended beyond CSMT. At Thane station, hundreds of passengers faced overcrowding. Some attempted to protest after a local train was short-terminated, which led to delays for many commuters trying to reach Mumbai.
Public Discontent
Passengers voiced their frustration over the lack of communication during the disruption. Complaints arose that the timing of the protest placed lives at risk, as referred to by passenger activist Siddhesh Desai from the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh. Around 30 trains were either canceled or delayed due to the protest.
In summary, the protest by railway workers at CSMT not only halted services but also tragically resulted in fatalities and injuries, highlighting the risks associated with disruptions during crucial commute times.
