MUMBAI: In some ways, the city is like a punching doll; no matter how hard you hit, it bounces back.

So, after the horror of Tuesday’s blasts, Mumbai slowly got back together. Most private firms reported almost full attendance. Banks worked at full tilt. Commerce acted as a salve.

Government offices registered 80 per cent attendance. The absentees were mostly those who had had to stay back on Tuesday night. There was full attendance for those who had emergency duties.

The blasts at seven places along the Western line halted services only temporarily. The first train after the blasts left Churchgate for Mahalaxmi at 10:45pm on Tuesday itself. By 11pm, Western Railway had resumed services from Churchgate and Bandra, Virar and Vasai, Goregaon and Borivli, and between Bandra and Andheri on the Harbour line.

By early Wednesday, all services were normal. BEST also operated 3,265 buses and used an additional 71 along the western routes on Wednesday.

But schools and colleges reported thin attendance. Several closed early. Nor was anyone in the mood to party. Cinema halls ran empty.

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