Services of local trains on Western Railway line in Mumbai which are badly affected due to a collapse of road over-bridge (ROB) on rail tracks in suburban Andheri are likely to start by today late evening.
Overnight rains in Mumbai and adjoining areas also led to the usual chaos of water-logged roads in several low-lying areas resulting in slow movement of vehicular traffic on Tuesday Morning.
At least five people were injured in the incident and the condition of two is said to be critical. Those injured are being treated at Cooper hospital in Mumbai.
"Restoration of OHE and tracks between Andheri--Vile Parle is going on a war footing to clear the tracks near Andheri where a part of ROB fell down on tracks," said Western railway.
The authorities have restored harbour line traffic near Andheri. Therefore, direct trains between Goregaon-Churchgate and Goregaon - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station can function.
Sevices of trains on the fast tracks will resume by today evening 6:00 pm and slow trains tracks will start functioning by mid-night, said Sanjay Mishra, Divisional Railway Manager.
Overhead Equipment (OHE) have been damaged and a team of engineers have swung into action to restore it, chief PRO of Western Railway Ravinder Bhakar said.
"A part of the FOB has collapsed which resulted the halt in all our up and down services of Western Railway. Our officers have reached to the spot and accessing the situation," he said.
This FOB that collapsed, connects platforms 8-9 from where Andheri bound local trains and long distance trains terminate. However, the Western Railway is running Virar-Goregaon and Churchgate-Bandra locals. The road overbridge connects Andheri East to West and heads toward Juhu as well.
► Piyush Goyal orders inquiry
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that he is monitoring the situation and has directed officials to speed up repair work and rapidly restore traffic in close coordination with other departments.
"I have also ordered an enquiry by Commissioner of Rail Safety," Goyal said in a tweet.
► Blame Game
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar passed the buck on Railways after a road over-bridge (ROB) collapsed.
"It was railway's responsibility to check if the bridge was in good condition. BMC is nowhere responsible for the incident," he said.
However, amid blame-game over the incident, local MLA Ameet Satam (BJP) said, "This is not the time to play politics. Let us now concentrate on resuming railway services and on the health of injured. After that, it needs to be checked if the structural stability of the bridge was done. If yes then what the report said."
Mumbai's Guardian Minister Vinod Tawde also said that it is unfortunate that mayor has passed the buck on railways.
► CM Fadnavis asks police to ensure smooth traffic movement
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the Mumbai police commissioner to ensure smooth traffic movement and asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to increase its bus service for the convenience of commuters.
"CM @Dev_Fadnavis spoke to @CPMumbaiPolice and BMC commissioner on #GokhaleBridgeCollapse incident. CM asked CP to ensure smooth traffic movement and also asked BMC commissioner to increase frequency of BEST buses for convenience of commuters. #MumbaiRains," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a tweet.
Andheri Bridge Collapse: Going to Mumbai Airport, taking these routes? Wait, first check this
► As a special case, WR commuters are permitted to travel on alternative routes of Central Railway.
► The BEST is also running 27 extra buses between Borivali and Churchgate
Here are some important helpline numbers
► Andheri: 022 67630054
► Churchgate: - 022 67622540 / 022 22082809
► Borivali: 022 67634053 / 022 28051580
► Mumbai Central: 022 67644257
► Surat: 02602401791
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