Fire Breaks Out in Garbage Train at Kurla, Mumbai Suburban Services Temporarily Disrupted
Mumbai’s suburban railway network faced brief disruption on Thursday evening after a muck special train carrying garbage caught fire near Kurla railway station. The incident caused temporary suspension of train services between Sion and Vidyavihar, as officials worked to control the blaze.
What Happened?
Around 8:30 pm, the first coach of a special train carrying muck and garbage collected from tracks caught fire. The train was stabled on a siding line between Kurla and Vidyavihar at the time of the incident.
A Central Railway official explained:
“This muck special coach that caught fire was standing at the EMU siding in Kurla. We immediately began taking all necessary measures to douse the fire.”
Power Supply Suspended to Control Fire
To safely tackle the fire, the overhead electrical cables (OHE) supplying 25,000 volts to trains had to be switched off temporarily. The affected stretch was between Vidyavihar and Sion, and the OHE was switched off from 8:38 pm to 8:55 pm.
As a result, rail traffic on the UP Slow line (towards CSMT) was temporarily halted until the fire was completely controlled.
The official added:
“The fire was doused at 8:55 pm, and the OHE was restored immediately to resume train services.”
Impact on Train Services
During the incident, commuters experienced minor delays on the Central Railway’s Main line. While the fire was extinguished quickly, the temporary suspension of electricity and train movement caused a ripple effect on train schedules, especially for UP Slow line locals heading towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Central Railway reassured passengers that services returned to normal shortly after the fire was extinguished.
Safety Measures and Response
Central Railway officials responded swiftly to the emergency:
- The fire was tackled within 25 minutes.
- OHE shutdown ensured no risk of electrocution for fire personnel.
- Emergency procedures were followed to minimize disruption to suburban train services.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
What Is a Muck Special Train?
A muck special train is a maintenance vehicle used by Indian Railways to carry garbage, debris, and muck collected from tracks during cleaning and maintenance operations. These trains are essential for keeping railway tracks and stations clean, especially in busy networks like Mumbai’s suburban rail system.
While accidents involving passenger trains often get media attention, incidents like these remind authorities of the risks involved in railway maintenance operations.
Quick Facts
- Incident: Fire in first coach of a muck special train
- Location: Between Kurla and Vidyavihar railway stations
- Time: Around 8:30 pm on Thursday
- Duration of disruption: 25 minutes
- Train services affected: UP Slow line towards CSMT
- Casualties: None reported
The fire on the muck special train at Kurla was swiftly brought under control, and train services resumed within half an hour. While such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of safety measures and quick response by railway authorities. Commuters can be assured that the Central Railway is actively managing such emergencies to minimize disruption and ensure passenger safety.
