Mumbai: A chaotic situation erupted for passengers who wanted to alight and board the train at Bhayandar station during the morning peak hours when a 15-coach Virar-Dadar fast local train failed to stop. The incident occurred on April 8 on the 15-coach Virar-Dadar fast local train.

The train departed from Virar at around 10.44 am and was supposed to stop at Vasai Road, Bhayander, Dahisar, Andheri, and Dadar, however, after Vasai, it continued at its speed and completely bypassed Bhayandar station.

As this happened during the peak hour travel time, chaos erupted among the passengers as many missed their train, resulting in reaching late to their destination. Not just this, passengers on board the train were also left confused and frustrated. some even decided to walk along the tracks toward Bhayandar station, creating a dangerous situation.

The report added that amid the chaos, a Virar-Churchgate AC fast local train arrived on the same platform. Distressed passengers without AC tickets or passes demanded to board the train, citing delays. The report further added that a temporary permission was granted, allowing them to travel in the AC local train.

Western Railway has also ordered an inquiry into the serious mistake that occurred, which caused significant delays and hardship during the morning rush hour.

Mumbai: As part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s ongoing citywide clean-up campaign against illegal hawkers and encroachments, a major drive was carried out on the street opposite Infiniti Mall in Oshiwara. The video of the drive was shared by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit on his official Instagram handle.

He added that, being a busy commercial area, the hawkers on the footpath had made it very difficult for office-goers to walk. He said that civic officials, accompanied by corporator Rupesh Sawarkar and police personnel, conducted the major operation.

The videos shared by him showed workers from the civic body conducting the operation, a JCB bulldozing the area, and a garbage truck collecting the waste. Corporator Rupesh Sawarkar spearheaded the action to ensure smooth passage for office-goers and citizens in the busy commercial area. At one point in the video, he himself is seen spraying the footpaths with water to clean the area.

The video comes amid the time when the efforts are ongoing by the BMC to clear encroachments and ensure smooth pedestrian and vehicular movement in congested areas. Not just Oshiwara, several places across Mumbai have been witnessing such operations, targeting unauthorised hawkers occupying public spaces.

Meanwhile, recently, a crackdown situation had also taken a serious turn with instances of confrontation. In a recent development, an FIR was registered against illegal hawkers for allegedly assaulting on-duty BMC staff during an anti-encroachment drive near Santacruz railway station. A copy of the FIR was shared by BJP leader Hetal Gala on social media platform X, where she condemned the attack, stating that such behaviour against civic officials “will not be tolerated.”

Mumbai: A controversial decision by Central Railway to reintroduce hawkers inside Mumbai’s suburban local trains has triggered fresh concerns among daily commuters, particularly over safety and overcrowding. According to reports, authorities have approved around 100 licensed vendors to operate across the Main and Harbour lines, despite strong opposition to a similar proposal in 2023.

Official documents accessed by media outlets indicate that a private agency has been awarded a three-year contract to run vending services on trains operating between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan, as well as on the Harbour line. The plan includes deploying 50 vendors on each corridor, who will be permitted to sell both consumable and non-consumable goods inside train compartments.

The documentation outlines a structured selection process, including Aadhaar verification, police clearance, medical certification and issuance of official identity cards. The detailed framework suggests that the scheme is already in an advanced stage of implementation.

The move has reignited debate as a similar initiative proposed in 2023 had faced intense backlash from commuter groups and activists. At the time, concerns over overcrowding and passenger safety forced railway authorities to withdraw the plan. Critics now allege that the latest rollout has been carried out quietly, without adequate consultation with passenger associations.

Mumbai’s suburban rail network, often referred to as the city’s lifeline, is already grappling with extreme congestion. During peak hours, trains operate far beyond capacity, with passengers frequently seen hanging from doors due to a lack of space. Meanwhile, the introduction of hawkers inside coaches is being viewed as a potential safety hazard that could worsen an already critical situation.

Data from railway records highlights the risks associated with overcrowding. More than 2,000 people reportedly lose their lives annually in railway-related incidents, while nearly 2,500 others sustain injuries.

Defending the initiative, Central Railway officials reportedly stated that the move aims to curb illegal hawking and introduce a regulated system that ensures better services for passengers. Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila said the scheme is designed to provide convenience while maintaining order within train compartments. As the plan moves forward, it is likely to remain a contentious issue, with commuter safety at the centre of the debate.