Central Railway (CR) has implemented a new operating protocol for its air-conditioned (AC) local trains, mandating that any train experiencing a cooling system failure will now stop at the next station, allow passengers to deboard, and be withdrawn from service for immediate inspection and repairs. This revised procedure follows a recent incident where passengers fell ill due to a cooling system malfunction on a Titwala-CSMT AC local near Mulund station, prompting renewed concerns over passenger safety and the reliability of the suburban rail network.
The new guidelines, communicated to all motormen, stipulate that upon detection of an AC failure during a journey, the train will be brought to a halt at the nearest station. Passengers will then be directed to disembark, and the affected rake will be taken out of service. This measure aims to prevent a recurrence of the situation where commuters experienced suffocation and discomfort due to the failure of the cooling system and locked doors.
The incident that triggered these changes occurred on a Monday morning when the AC system of the 8:33 am Titwala-CSMT AC local malfunctioned shortly after crossing Diva. The train continued for approximately 15 to 16 minutes before reaching Mulund station. During this time, passengers reported severe discomfort, excessive heat, and difficulty breathing inside the crowded, locked coaches. Three commuters complained of uneasiness, with one individual, identified as Faheem Ansari, requiring hospitalization due to breathing difficulties and a spike in blood pressure. He was later discharged after receiving treatment.
Central Railway officials stated that the train’s Traction Supervisor was unable to access the affected coach while the train was in motion, which prevented an immediate on-board inspection of the fault. Investigations revealed that the rake had no reported defects when it departed from the car shed, indicating that the problem developed en route. The backup mechanism, which is supposed to draw power from adjacent coaches when one unit fails, also did not function as expected in this instance. The train was eventually operated with its doors open between Mulund and Kurla to improve ventilation before being sent to the Kurla Carshed for a detailed examination.
This latest episode has brought to the forefront long-standing concerns regarding the reliability of Mumbai’s AC local services, particularly during peak hours when overcrowding is at its highest. The lack of immediate emergency medical facilities at stations like Mulund has also been highlighted as a critical issue, potentially delaying assistance to passengers in distress. The incident echoes a similar event in 2018 involving an AC local on the Western Railway, which also led to passenger complaints of suffocation.
In response to these recurring issues, Central Railway has taken steps to enhance passenger safety and comfort. The new protocol ensures that any AC failure is addressed promptly by deboarding passengers and withdrawing the train, thereby preventing prolonged discomfort and potential health risks. The investigation into the exact cause of the technical failure is ongoing, with railway authorities examining why the backup cooling systems did not engage and the circumstances that prevented immediate troubleshooting onboard.
The Chenab Times News Desk