Mumbai train catches fire as man throws bag at overhead cables, services hit

Train services on harbour line of Central Railway were disrupted for half an hour as after an unidentified person threw a discarded bag on the pantograph of a train at Navi Mumbai’s Vashi station on Wednesday morning.

“The Panvel-bound train which was scheduled for 9.28 am was delayed for over 12 minutes as the local caught fire because a person threw a discarded bag on pantograph (an overhead apparatus mounted on the roof of an electric train). Immediate rescue measures were taken, fire brigade reached on spot, and nobody was hurt. The rake was withdrawn and sent to car shed for safety reasons,” AK Jain senior PRO, central railway said.

The incident took place at Vashi station. However, not many commuters were affected as there is less traffic on Panvel route even during peak hours.

Owing to the delay, many passengers opted to avail the bus service from the nearby Vashi depot, while a few others chose to wait until the train services resumed.

“I was not aware of the exact problem hence, I patiently waited for train to CSTM when I reached station, after inquiring few people I came to know about the issue, the train came after 15 minutes which was fully packed,” said Rahul Dasgupta, 29, a Vashi resident who had to travel to Panvel for work.