Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, once again became chaotic as a CSMT-bound local train derailed at Kalyan station on Friday night, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. While delays and disruptions are nothing new to the city’s daily commuters, the lack of communication and coordination in managing the crisis has sparked frustration, with many questioning whether the so-called ‘Mumbai Spirit’ is being used as an excuse for administrative inefficiency.
Derailment of local train at Kalyan railway station on central line. Train services impacted. #Mumbai #LocalTrain @Central_Railway please provide more information pic.twitter.com/ybb7J0MqLu
— Sonu Kanojia (@NNsonukanojia) October 18, 2024
The derailment halted several local and long-distance trains on Central Railway’s main line, creating widespread disruption. Commuters, like Pranali Lotlikar, who was travelling with her two young children, were left waiting for hours without updates. “I was stuck with my two kids for more than two hours in the train, with no updates on when the train would move,” she shared, reflecting the mounting frustration felt by many stranded along the route.
Issue between Kalyan-Thakurli has become a norm now. Train derails before Kalyan Station. People walking on tracks to reach back homes! We travel daily here and now even locals are not safe🙏🏻 @Central_Railway pic.twitter.com/MWSzxt1L9p
— Mumbai Nowcast (@s_r_khandelwal) October 18, 2024
Despite the widespread delays, authorities provided little real-time information, leaving passengers in limbo. The delayed response raises a critical issue: Is the resilience of Mumbaikars, often dubbed the ‘Mumbai Spirit’, being taken for granted to cover up glaring gaps in the management of public services?
A local train going to Mumbai CSMT derailed on platform 2 of Kalyan station. No one was injured. Picture 2 is in front of you.@AshwiniVaishnaw
— 𝐃𝐊 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡🇮🇳 (@DKSinghMohit) October 18, 2024
Who is responsible for rail accidents? pic.twitter.com/QFp4cO2Vbh
The derailment, which occurred around 9 PM at Kalyan’s platform two, caused disruptions not only to the local train services but also to long-distance trains. Although no injuries were reported, passengers were forced to wait for hours with limited options and no clear instructions. The Divisional Railway Manager posted a brief message on X (formerly Twitter) about technical issues causing delays, but many commuters were left without updates on alternative arrangements or expected timelines for the resumption of services.
In a city where public transport is the lifeline for millions, this incident once again brings to light the fragile nature of Mumbai’s transport system. While Mumbaikars are known for their ability to cope with adversity, should their resilience be used as an excuse for poor management and delayed responses?
As the city struggles to resume normalcy, the question remains: When will the authorities stop relying on the ‘Mumbai Spirit’ to justify their lapses and start delivering on the efficiency the city’s population deserves?
