CR services hit in Mumbai after train guards start ‘work-to-rule’ protest

Mumbai: Central Railway’s suburban operations witnessed delays and cancellation of some local trains on Wednesday after train managers (guards) resorted to a “work-to-rule” protest against new anti-overshooting safety rules.

More than a dozen trains were cancelled while several others ran 10 to 30 minutes late. Though the agitation began on Tuesday, its impact intensified before the evening peak hour on Wednesday.

The protest comes days after Central Railway amended its General & Subsidiary Rules (G&SR) to strengthen safeguards against suburban trains overshooting platforms. Under the revised rules issued on May 7, guards must give advance bell warnings to motormen before approaching stations if a train appears to be running at excessive speed. Guards are also authorised to apply brakes if there is no response from the motorman.

Railway sources said the new provisions have increased operational responsibility on guards, prompting many staffers to strictly follow rule-book procedures and avoid the operational flexibility that usually helps Mumbai’s suburban system maintain punctuality despite congestion.

In railway terminology, “work-to-rule” does not mean employees stop working. Instead, staff carry out duties exactly as prescribed without taking operational shortcuts or additional responsibilities. On high-frequency suburban systems like Mumbai, this can slow operations as train movements depend heavily on quick crew changes, faster turnaround at terminals and flexible coordination between departments.

The impact was visible in delayed departures, longer halts at stations and cancellation of some services due to crew and rake management issues. The effect became more severe during evening peak hours when the suburban network operates with minimal buffer time between trains.

Asangaon passenger Vidya Nair said, “The 5.45 pm Asangaon fast has been on the platform for nearly 30 minutes and there is no clarity when it will depart.”

Borivli’s Himanshu Shah said, “I took at 5.28 CSMT fast from Dadar. It has been almost 40 minutes and the train is yet to reach the destination.”

A Central Railway Mazdoor Union office bearer said, “It is not possible for the guard to ring a bell before every stoppage. There is no guarantee that the motorman will 100% ensure compliance. Why should the onus be put on the guard?”

Interestingly, Western Railway already follows a practice under which guards ring a bell a few metres before a station to alert motormen to apply brakes. However, railway union members pointed out that even WR has witnessed instances of trains skipping stoppages despite the system. A CRMS member said, “Even then, there are instances of train skipping stoppages on WR.”

Railway officials maintained that the rule changes are safety-driven and aimed at preventing incidents like the recent Badlapur-bound fast local overshooting the halt point at Vikhroli by nearly four coaches. Following disruption to services, CR has called a meeting on Monday with CRMS and National Rail Mazdoor Union (NRMU) to discuss the new rules.