Panvel-bound local derails, services down for six hours

MUMBAI: Harbour and trans-harbour services were down for around six hours after a Panvel-bound local derailed on Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported.
The fourth coach derailed between Seawoods-Darave and Belapur stations after a pair of wheels went off the down local tracks at 10.40 am.
Three connected routes were affected-CST-Panvel, Andheri-Panvel and Thane-Panvel-as no trains plied between Nerul and Belapur from 10:40 am to 1:30 pm, after which three stuck locals were taken off the tracks and an emergency service maintenance block was carried out for around two and a half hours.The derailed local was taken to Sanpada for checks.
Twenty-five trains were cancelled while 40 services were short-terminated at Nerul. Shuttle services were operated between Belapur-Panvel with two rakes.
Central Railway (CR) officials said equipment was rushed to the site by road. The coach was re-railed at 12.45 pm and the train was taken off at 12.55 pm. After track repairs, the first train went to Belapur at 1.35 pm. But regular services resumed from 4.10 pm, after the maintenance block.
A CR official said that the general manager had told a high-level committee to submit a report within three days.
CR claimed that announcements were made at all stations for the passengers' benefit.