Local train services on the main line of Mumbai’s Central Railway were disrupted for over two hours between 10 a.m. and 12.20 p.m. when the pantograph (the instrument situated on the roof of a local train used to draw electricity from the over head wires) of a Thane bound local train broke down while crossing over from one track to another.

Central Railway had to fully cancel 14 services and partially cancel six.

Narendra Patil, Chief Public Relations Officer Central Railway, Mumbai, said: “The incident also tripped the overhead equipment at the Kalyan end (the other end) of Thane railway station and necessitated a power shut down before restoration of power supply in a phased manner. However, power supply to the fast line was restored almost immediately.”

During this period, slow services were diverted between Vikhroli and Diva on fast line and normalcy was restored by 1230 pm.

The Union Railway Minister has directed the Railway Board to send a team of officers to examine the problems related to frequent breakdown of electrical overhead equipment (OHE) and prepare an action plan to avoid recurrences of such incidents over Mumbai suburban railway.

DC-AC Conversion of over head equipment at Central Railway’s main line between Thane and Mumbai CST has now been delayed with the likelihood of inspection of the section by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) next week.

The CRS will inspect the section on parameters related to vertical and horizontal clearance for overhead equipment.

Central Railway had in a public notification last Saturday announced that it would energise the Mumbai CST - Thane section with 25000 volt alternating current (AC) replacing the current 1500 volt direct current (DC) effective May 24.

The DC-AC conversion will result in substantial energy cost savings besides higher revenue as an increase in enhanced speed in the section would enable Central Railway to add additional suburban services.

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