Following a fatal stabbing on a Mumbai local train, the Maharashtra government has announced plans to expand CCTV coverage, strengthen police patrolling, and implement other safety measures across the suburban railway network. The state also highlighted the quick arrest of the accused using facial recognition technology and ongoing efforts for passenger and women's safety.
Motormen of both the central and western railway of the Mumbai suburban railway network have gone on a hunger strike on Monday to press for their demands for rise in pay scales and allowances, railway officials said.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.
Heavy rains and thunder returned to Mumbai, causing significant delays in local and long-distance train services, particularly affecting routes towards Gujarat and Pune. Two key reservoirs, Tulsi and Vihar lakes, have begun overflowing, though the city's overall water stock remains at 41.43 per cent.
Mumbai and its suburbs experienced widespread pre-monsoon showers, offering relief from the recent heat and humidity. Several areas received moderate to heavy rainfall, with no major disruptions reported.
The Mumbai civic body declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the afternoon session following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) red alert for extremely heavy rainfall. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors unless necessary, as the city continues to experience significant monsoon downpours, with some areas receiving over 100 mm of rain.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the weekend. The city has already experienced over 100 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, leading to delays in local train services, though public transport remains operational.
The murder of a commuter on a Mumbai suburban train has sparked a debate in the Maharashtra assembly, with the Opposition demanding answers on passenger safety. Speaker Rahul Narwekar has directed the government to provide a statement on the incident, investigation progress, and safety measures by June 29. The incident involved the fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old during an argument over train doors, with the accused already arrested.
Despite BEST employees calling off their indefinite strike, Mumbai's bus services remained significantly below normal on Monday morning, with only 57% of the scheduled fleet operational. Commuters experienced long waits, leading many to seek alternative transport. The strike ended after an agreement with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, which included interim pay hikes and commitments for future improvements and clearing dues.
Heavy rainfall of 600 mm in 24 hours triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune line, severely disrupting rail traffic and leading to cancellations, diversions, and short-terminations of numerous trains.
Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.
BEST employees continued their strike in Mumbai for a second day, causing significant disruption to public transport despite appeals from the Maharashtra Transport Minister and the invocation of MESMA. Commuters were forced to rely on alternative, overcrowded transport options, while the striking unions maintained their demands for budget merger, improved pay, and absorption of contractual workers.
Heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging across Mumbai, disrupting traffic and daily life. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts, advising precautions. Specific areas recorded over 200 mm of rainfall, and the IMD forecasts continued heavy rains for the Konkan region, Goa, South Gujarat, Odisha, and Central India.
An eyewitness to the horrific suburban railway mishap in Maharashtra's Thane district on Monday morning said the chain of events began after someone in the coach ahead of his either fell after hitting a wall or 'something hit our compartment'.
The mishap at Mumbra railway station on Monday morning that killed four and injured nine occurred as the passengers standing on the footboard of two suburban trains brushed against each other, causing thirteen to fall, a Thane railway police station official said.
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai, slowing traffic and affecting train services. The IMD has issued an 'Orange' alert, advising citizens to stay indoors.
Railways ramps up project to instal AI-based cameras that can recognise faces.
'Once all the sanctioned works have been commissioned, the railways will be in a position to run 4,500 trains daily.'
Train services on the Central Railway's main and harbour lines were disrupted on Sunday morning due to an extended mega block for a bridge girder launch, causing inconvenience to local and long distance travellers. As many as 11 long distance trains that depart from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai have been rescheduled and nine trains which arrive at CSMT have been short-terminated due to the block. There were also reports of a labourer getting injured during the girder launch. The six-hour-long mega block conducted for launching the girder of the under-construction Carnac Bridge was initially scheduled to end at 5.30 am but was delayed. The Central Railway's local train operations were cancelled between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Byculla and between CSMT and Wadala stations on the main and harbour lines due to the mega block.
210 deaths were directly attributed to commuters falling from overcrowded trains.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the Mumbai suburban railway would soon get new-design trains fitted with better features for passenger comfort and reducing overcrowding.
The number of passengers in the suburban sector rose 1.48 per cent to 3,210.93 million between April 2009 and January 2010, from 3,164.05 million in the year-ago period. However, earnings rose around 2.5 per cent to Rs 1,441.72 crore (Rs 14.41 billion) from Rs 1,406.73 crore (Rs 14.06 billion).
The Bombay high court on Friday expressed concern over deaths of commuters on Mumbai local trains, describing the situation as 'alarming', an observation coming days after five people lost their lives post-falling off a packed suburban service.
Local train services in Mumbai were severely disrupted due to heavy rains and track submergence, causing hardship for commuters. Central Railway suspended services on key lines, and long-distance trains were rescheduled or cancelled. Passengers were stranded, and bus services were also affected.
The MUTP II focuses on segregating the outstation and suburban railway traffic, which will eventually increase the frequency of trains on the suburban railway network. The MUTP II focuses on segregating the outstation and suburban railway traffic, which will eventually increase the frequency of trains on the suburban railway network.
Several parts of Mumbai received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Vikhroli reporting the highest downpour. The IMD reported significant rainfall in various areas of the city.
The police said high grade explosive material was used in the blasts but the exact nature of the explosives was yet to be established
In his applications filed before the National Human Rights Commission as well as Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission on Friday, Abdul Wahid Shaikh also requested support for rehabilitation.
The suburban network, called Mumbai's lifeline, use to ferry over 70 lakh commuters daily before the coronavirus outbreak.
The admit cards of the candidates appearing for JEE and NEET will be considered as authority to enter suburban stations with parents or guardians on exam days, a statement issued by the Railways said.
Nineteen years later, remembering how terror struck Mumbai's lifeline on July 11, 2006.
The announcement came after marathon meetings held by the minister with senior railway board officials since Friday.
Beginning January 1, suburban train passengers in Mumbai will have to pay Rs 2 to Rs 4 more for the daily journey as the Railways have decided to increase the surcharge on suburban train services.
Mumbai Metro One to continue with discounted fares till Nov 30.
A Mumbai court has ordered the mental examination of Chetansinh Chaudhary, a former RPF constable accused of shooting dead his senior colleague and three passengers on a train in July 2023. The court's decision comes after prison authorities reported that Chaudhary is suffering from a mental disorder. He will be lodged in Thane jail during his medical examination at the Thane mental hospital.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday travelled by a local train between Thane and Diva stations on the Mumbai suburban rail network for inspection of two additional railway lines, and ate 'vada pav', a popular local snack, at a roadside eatery during his visit, officials said.
From October 21, women can travel on suburban trains between 11 am to 3 pm and after 7 pm.
Local trains have been off bounds for the general public since March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The general public is allowed to travel in the suburban trains from the time of start of services for the day till 7 am, from 12 noon to 4 pm, and from 9 pm till the closure of services for the day.
There's a 13 per cent increase over last year, in an effort to put its flagging revenues back on track.
