As the argument between the two groups intensified, some passengers pulled the train's alarm chain, leading to the train halting out of schedule at the station at Boisar at 10.08 am.
An altercation between two groups of passenger devolved into a rail roko on Monday morning, delaying outbound and local services on the Western Railway for up to one and a half hours.
Chaos struck Bhuj-Bandra Terminus Kutch Express after a group of season pass holders entered the S2 coach at Vapi and allegedly bullied the reserved passengers to share the seats, ensuing an argument.
As the argument between the two groups intensified, some passengers pulled the train's alarm chain, leading to the train halting out of schedule at the station at Boisar at 10.08 am. The passengers then spilled onto the tracks.
"The train was stopped due to a quarrel among the MST and reserved passengers," said Ravindra Bhakar, Chief PRO, Western Railway.
Railway officials, including personnel from the Railway Protection Force, managed to calm the situation and the train resumed its journey at 11.47am. Sources said that the Kutch Express was taken to a siding at Palghar so that other trains coming from Gujarat are not affected.
The rail roko disrupted local services. Long-distance trains coming to Mumbai were late by 45 minutes to one hour. "Almost everyday there are issues in trains going towards Dahanu. Many a time, the commuters going to Virar board the local trains meant for Dahanu. There are few services for us passengers between Virar and Dahanu which causes problems," said Prathamesh Prabhutendolkar, joint secretary, Dahanu Vaitarna Pravasi Sevabhavi Sanstha.
At present, the WR operates 24 local train services between Churchgate and Dahanu, every day. There are 12 MEMU services between Virar and Dahanu as well that ply daily. The number of daily commuters travelling on this 60-km stretch has crossed 1 lakh.
Chaos in S2 coach
Chaos struck the Kutch Express after a group of season pass holders entered the S2 coach at Vapi and allegedly bullied the reserved passengers to share the seats, ensuing an argument
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "WR locals")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}