Mumbai commuters get violent over rail disruption, set ablaze two vehicles in Thane

MUMBAI: Angry commuters torched two private vehicles and pelted stones damaging railway property outside Diwa railway station in Thane district near Mumbai to protest against disruption caused in central railway's suburban service during peak hours on Friday morning. Police had to resort to lathi charge to control the situation.

According to latest reports, all motormen (train drivers) working on central railway's main & harbor line have launched an agitation to protest against violence by commuters. They have decided to stop work because some of them got hurt in the violence.

Suburban rail network is under severe stress. Long neglected.Drawing up plan to revamp it on top priority. Need time to implement.Huge task

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) January 2, 2015

This has caused a shut down on all central rail suburban services. Long distance trains will also be affected because tracks are blocked. Rail minister Suresh Prabhu has been informed about the situation in Mumbai. Over 5 million commuters use Mumbai's central line & 4 million use western line every day.

Very unfortunate for commuters to suffer on Central Rail. Directed GM to sort out the grievances ASAP. Diva to CST feasibility studied now

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) January 2, 2015

Technical problem on the central line of Mumbai's suburban service of central railway caused major disruption in the morning peak hour near Diwa station. Since this was a third such disruption happening on consecutive days the passengers traveling daily on this route got angry and resorted to violence. Over five million commuters use the central railway every day to travel to workplace.





"A disruption on the central line has caused a major problem near Diwa and Thakurli stations. Commuters felt that this is happening repeatedly. Police had to resort to lathi charge to protect public property and control the situation. We have now controlled the violence and we are in touch with rail authorities", said Maharashtra's MoS Home Ranjit Patil.

However, Motormen have withdrawn their agitation after an assurance from rail administration that they will be provided protection.