Angry passengers blocked railway tracks in Titwala on Wednesday as train services were halted due to a technical snag in the system.
A mob of commuters stopped trains by protesting on the train tracks, affecting train services in the route. The protest took place after a Mumbai-bound outstation train was given priority, thus delaying the arrival of 5.55am CST-bound local.
Hundreds of commuters jumped on the tracks and stopped both the south and the north bound trains, resulting in delay of several outstation and long-distance trains. However, the first long-distance train, Mumbai-Gorakhpur Express, crossed Titwala at 8.50am after the block was lifted.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police have been mobilised at the spot as agitated commuters had held up 3 to 4 trains.
As a result of the protest, services on both up and down line have been suspended between Kalyan-Kasara Section.
Meanwhile, suburban services on CR were running late by at least 30 minutes, leading to overcrowding in the trains.
“Due to public agitation at Titwala, train services R suspended between Kalyan-Kasara. Train services on Karjàt-Kalyan-CST section are running,” Chief Public Relations Officer Central Railways tweeted.
The PRO also appealed agitating passengers at Titwala to board the trains so that train services could resume.
A similar agitation was staged at Badlapur station by commuters earlier this year for the same reason, following which the authorities had then assured to improve punctuality of the suburban trains.
