Rail fracture between Sion and Matunga disrupts services

Chaos struck the Central Railway on Saturday after a rail between Sion and Matunga on the north-bound fast line developed a fracture. The problem was reported at 9.56 am and disrupted services on the line for nearly two hours. CR authorities said the fracture was repaired by 10.12 am.

"Three local trains were delayed due to this. Such rail fractures do happen when there is wide fluctuations in day and night temperatures during winters. Such things are duly detected digitally and manually by patrolling personnel," said Sunil Udasi, CPRO, Central Railway.

While railways claim that they repaired the fracture within few minutes, commuters claim that it took them more than two hours to complete a journey that they normally finish in an hour. Jayesh Vora took a fast train from Dombivali at 9.13 am, but reached Parel at 11.30 am. "My train halted between Vidyavihar and Kurla and I could see a line of trains on the fast line towards CST waiting in queue. I got down, walked on the track and reached Kurla station. From there I took a slow train, the slow trains were over crowded. I finally reached Parel at 11.30 am, normally I would have reached by 10.15 or 10.30 am."

Lacchu Singh, who was travelling towards Thane also got delayed for the wedding he was to attend. "I had a wedding to attend in Thane and when I reached Byculla around 11.30 am and reached Thane in a fast train around 12.30 pm normally by 12 noon I should have reached. The train even on my way back halted for a long time at Vikhroli station."