Mumbai: Derailment of a local train near Mahim station put Mumbaikars in the lurch in the morning on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. At least five persons sustained minor injuries due to the mishap.

Four coaches of a Harbour line train that connects the Western Railway (WR) to the Central Railway (CR) derailed near Mahim station at 9.55 am. The train originates from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and was on its way to Andheri.

The services between the Wadala-Andheri section were affected and the impact was felt as it coincided with Ganesh Chaturthi, which marks the beginning of the 10-day Ganesh festival – the biggest celebration of Mumbai.
Though it was a holiday, many  Mumbaikars planned to visit their relatives for the celebration of the arrival of Lord Ganesh. They all were stuck due to the derailment between two suburban stations.

Many of them choose to walk through the railway tracks to reach the nearest station to commute further.

Incidentally, the train belonged to the CR and the accident happened on the jurisdiction of WR.

The incident took place when the 12-coach train was manoeuvring a crossover and approaching  Mahim station.  Reportedly, the OHE cables did not have power so the motorman reversed the train when the derailment happened.

The Indian Railways has ordered a probe into the incident. “The cause of the incident would be investigated,” said Ravindra Bhakar, Chief Public Relations Officer of WR.

The incident comes in the wake of two back-to-back incidents of derailment in Uttar Pradesh.

Last Saturday, the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express in Khatauli derailed, claiming over 20 lives and injured over 150 people. Initial probe revealed negligence of staff on duty.

Nine coaches of Kaifiyat Express went off the track near Auraia on Wednesday, leaving 70 people injured.

On Tuesday, three passengers were injured when a boulder came crashing down on  the sleeper coach of the Hubli-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus train near Monkey Hill station in Khandala Ghat section.