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A safety lapse during railway maintenance work on the Central Railway line in the Mumbai region led to two passengers being injured on a Kasara-bound local train. Debris and an iron rod fell into a moving coach, leaving one commuter critically injured. Authorities have suspended three staff members and started an internal inquiry. The incident has raised concerns over adherence to safety protocols, especially as such work is meant to be carried out during traffic blocks. Past incidents on the same route have also pointed to recurring risks during maintenance activity.
A safety lapse during ongoing engineering work on the Central Railway line led to two passengers being injured on a Kasara-bound local train in the Mumbai region. The incident occurred between Khardi and Umbermali stations when debris and an iron rod from a hillside protection and netting project entered a moving coach and struck commuters standing near the doorway. Advertisement
One of the injured passengers, Eknath Thomre, suffered serious head and facial injuries and is currently in critical condition at a hospital in Thane. Another passenger, Rohit Sarukte, sustained an injury to his thigh and was discharged after receiving treatment. The impact reportedly caused panic among passengers in the compartment, especially those standing near the footboard area.
Initial findings suggest that the maintenance activity was being carried out without a proper traffic block, which is mandatory for such high-risk work. As per railway norms, engineering work near active tracks must be scheduled only after halting or regulating train movement to avoid any danger to commuters. In this case, debris appears to have fallen directly onto a passing train, indicating gaps in on-site safety supervision and coordination.
Officials from the railway administration inspected the site soon after the incident. Three engineering staff members were suspended for negligence, and a detailed internal inquiry has been initiated to fix responsibility. Authorities are also examining whether standard operating procedures were ignored or not properly enforced at the worksite.
The stretch between Kasara and Khardi is known for its hilly terrain, where slope protection and rockfall prevention work is regularly undertaken, especially before and during the monsoon season. Such work is considered critical to prevent landslides and ensure uninterrupted train services. However, it also requires strict monitoring, as loose debris or equipment can pose a direct risk to passing trains if not secured properly.
Commuter groups have raised concerns over the incident, pointing out that suburban trains in Mumbai often run with heavy crowding, with many passengers standing near open doors. This increases the risk of injury when such unexpected incidents occur. They have called for stricter enforcement of safety measures and better planning of maintenance work to avoid exposure to passengers.
Similar incidents have been reported on this route in the past, where mud, stones, or debris entered coaches during maintenance or after minor landslides. While earlier cases resulted in minor injuries, the latest incident is more serious and highlights the need for tighter operational control and accountability.
Railway authorities are expected to review existing safety practices and reinforce guidelines to ensure that maintenance work does not interfere with active train operations. The focus is likely to remain on better coordination between engineering and operations teams, especially on sensitive stretches like Kasara.
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