Mumbai Monsoon Fury: Heavy Rains Disrupt Trains And BEST Bus Services

Local train services especially on the Harbour Line and main line of Central Railway were disrupted on Saturday morning due to heavy rainfall. Waterlogging on the tracks between Tilaknagar and Kurla stations led to a slowdown in services.

Commuters Report Delays On Central Line Service

Commuters reported delays of nearly 40 to 45 minutes, with up-line services towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) suffering the most after Vadala Road station.

On the Central Line, waterlogging between Vikhroli and Kurla caused delays averaging 15 to 20 minutes, adding to the woes of daily passengers. Waterlogging near Sion station also contributed to the delays.

IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert

"IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in the Mumbai region. Passengers are advised to travel only if essential and exercise caution," the Divisional Railway Manager posted on X at 11:30 am.

Frustrated commuters turned to social media to seek updates and assistance. One passenger, stranded on a Harbour Line train, wrote on X: “Please update about Mumbai Harbour Line trains… they are moving very, very slow. Our CSMT up train is halted between Mankhurd and Govandi. Please update—will it go ahead, or do we have to alight at Govandi? Please update ASAP.”

Responding to the concern, Railway Seva replied: “We’re listening and will do our best to help. The concerned officials are being notified.”

However, when contacted, a senior Central Railway official stated that precautionary speed restrictions were imposed on the UP and DN Harbour Lines between Tilaknagar and Kurla due to waterlogging. "Because waterlogging was reported at several locations, Local services were running 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule in the morning. However, the situation improved significantly by evening, and train services were delayed by only 5 to 7 minutes on the Main Line and 5 minutes on the Harbour Line, " the official added.

Western Line Relatively Stable

Similarly, a Western Railway official claimed that despite heavy rain in the morning, local train services were running as usual, with only a few trains delayed by up to 10 minutes.

BEST Bus service also affected 

Apart from local train services, BEST bus services were also affected due to heavy rain on Saturday. Continuous overnight rainfall resulted in severe waterlogging in multiple areas, forcing the diversion and curtailment of several bus routes from early morning, according to a BEST official. However, most of the routes were normalised by evening.

Due to significant water accumulation near Ajit Glass, bus route number 4, 202, 203, 256, and 359 have been diverted via Route 180 through Behram Baug Marg, with changes implemented from 5:30 am.

In the Wadala Depot region, flooding on B.A. Road (up direction) has disrupted traffic, prompting the diversion of Routes 521, A-25, A-351, and 66 via Bhaudaji Marg up to Matunga Circle, starting at 5:00 am.

From the Malad Depot, severe waterlogging at Malad Subway has led to the diversion of Routes 345 and 460 through Madina Mandir from 5:30 am, while Route 281 has been curtailed and now terminates at Sainath Bus Chowky.

In the Marol Depot area, flooding at Aarey Colony 19 has necessitated diversions for Routes 478, 326, 186, 341, and 398 via C Cross Road from 6:00 am. Additionally, Route 186 has been rerouted through Vihar Lake–Powai Road due to worsening conditions at Aarey Colony.

Meanwhile, from the Pratiksha Nagar Depot, rising water levels in the Sangam Nagar–Wadala Vidya Alankar College area have led to the diversion of Routes 117 and 110 via Valmiki Chowk, beginning at 7:30 am. 

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge commuters to check for updates before planning their travel.