Trains to slow in tunnel after 5 die

Commuter activists raised a ruckus with Central Railway (CR) authorities after five people died in the space of a week after getting hit by a pillar of a Rail-Over-Bridge (ROB) located just before the Mumbra tunnel in the region between Kalwa and Mumbra.

As a result, CR has reduced the speed of trains to 50 kmph when they pass through the tunnel.

Three people were killed at the same spot just before the Mumbra tunnel on November 3 and two more died on November 7. Officials said they have imposed a 50 kmph speed restriction when trains travel through the tunnel so that commuters will be able to see the pillar in time and move inside the train.

“We have told the motormen to slow down the train to 50 kmph at the maximum when they pass through the tunnel. This way at least those who are hanging out will be well aware that there is a pole approaching,” said an official.

Activist Nazima Syed was one of those who met with CR officials on November 5 and asked them to take some precautionary measures about the situation. She said, “The CR officials have been cooperative, we met them after commuters who we know began to threaten to stop services after a few young kids died. While approaching Mumbra, a pillar comes before the tunnel in the direction of CST and if someone is standing with their bag it gets hit, causing them to lose their balance. Here we need to correct ourselves as well and not travel on the footboard,” she said.

Ms Syed is hopeful a more long-term solution will be made. “We want a solution not only for the next few months but also something that will last for the next generation of young kids to come,” she added.

CR divisional railway commissioner Amitabh Ohja said that the speed restriction has been put in place and they would monitor for one month if it improves the situation. “Other than that we have to realise that accidents are occurring not only because of stunts but also the reality that trains are overcrowded during peak time,” he said.