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Mumbai’s Central Railway suburban network plunged into chaos during Wednesday evening’s peak rush hour after train managers (guards) staged a 30-minute “work-to-rule” protest against a newly introduced safety circular, triggering train cancellations, severe overcrowding and dangerous conditions across major stations, including CSMT, Dadar railway station, Kurla railway station, Ghatkopar railway station and Thane railway station.

The disruption began after train managers protested against Correction Slip No. 15, a recently issued circular that changes their operational responsibilities by giving them additional safety duties aimed at preventing trains from overshooting platforms. CR confirmed that services were disrupted between 5.15 pm and 5.45 pm.

What changed in the new rule?

Under the revised safety protocol, train managers are now required to play a more active role in preventing trains from overshooting platforms.
The new procedure requires:
>> The train manager is to give a single bell signal before a scheduled halt
>> The motorman is to acknowledge the signal
>> The guard is to intervene and apply brakes if the train continues at an unsafe speed approaching the platform
Railway officials said the move was introduced as an additional safety layer to reduce overshooting incidents.

Commuters Speak

Ashwini Raje, Commuter
‘My regular Kalyan local was cancelled, following that the Thane local too and crowds started swelling. The announcements at CSMT were saying some technical problem, but no one was telling us when they would be restored’

Akshay Mahapadi, Commuter activist
‘I was standing at Mulund, and all the slow trains that were coming were just Thane locals and nothing beyond that. It was so frustrating, and one was unable to get on board any train due to extreme crowding. Repeated disruptions during peak hours could create serious safety risks for passengers’

Official Speak

Passengers wait amid heavy crowding at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as Central Railway services were hit during peak hours on Wednesday evening. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Central Railway spokesperson, 
‘Some train managers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus have started work to rule due to the safety circular number 15 that has been issued recently. Due to this, three local trains were cancelled’ The spokesperson said discussions were later held with the protesting staff, and services resumed after the administration agreed to review the rule.

Rule under review
Officials said the circular has now been placed under review following discussions with train managers, after which staff resumed normal duties.

Timeline of disruption

Time    Development
5.15 pm  Work-to-rule protest begins    
Evening peak hour Multiple suburban services delayed/cancelled
During protest Three local trains cancelled
5.45 pm Protest withdrawn after talks

Impact at a glance

Issue        Details
Duration of disruption 30 minutes
Trains cancelled 3
Major affected stations CSMT, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Thane
Cause Protest over Correction Slip No. 15