Coach of Panvel- bound local derails near Belapur

Local train services on the Harbour line of Central Railway (CR) were terribly affected following the derailment of a Panvel- bound train at 10.40 am on Wednesday. A total of 12 Dn & 13 Up suburban services were cancelled, as a result, and 40 shuttle services run in splits between CST- Nerul and Belapur- Panvel instead.

The train ( PL- 53) left CST at 9.30 am and chugged upto Sea Woods Darave station seamlessly. However, shortly after it left the station, the fourth coach (a general compartment) on the Panvel- end of the train derailed between Sea Woods and Belapur stations, blocking the entire Dn Harbour line traffic on this section. The repercussion was such; that trains scheduled to run end to end (from CST to Panvel, as also from Vashi to Panvel) had to be stopped for more than five hours.

Stating that restoration work was immediately started by rushing required equipment to the site by a special vehicle via road, CR spokespersons said, " The derailed coach was rerailed at 12.45 pm and the affected train was removed from service ten minutes later.

After the repairs to the track, first train went to Belapur at 1.35 pm." Suburban services in both directions on the Harbour route, especially the Dn direction in Nerul- Belapur section were affected. The 12 Dn & 13 Up suburban services were cancelled as a result, and 40 Shuttle services were run separately between CST- Nerul and between Belapur- Panvel with the help of two rakes.

After plying these special trains to cater to the commuting crowds until all necessary checks and repairs were carried out, they started plying regular services at 4.10 pm on the Harbour line.

This is the third derailment incident reported in the west zone of the railways and the first on the city's suburban route, of the year.