Commuters block rail traffic to protest accidents

MUMBAI - Agitating commuters at Vikhroli station Sunday blocked rail traffic for some time in protest against frequent accidents on railway lines, a Central Railway official said here Sunday.

“Commuters have stopped all up and down local trains and some outstation trains by lying down on the tracks,” the spokesperson said.

The agitation was to protest two accidents Sunday morning in which two people were seriously injured while crossing the rail tracks.

“The commuters blame it on the railway authorities saying there is no foot overbridge to connect the east to the west, but the fact is that most commuters prefer taking the shortcut,” the spokesperson said.

The rail blockade brought services on the central line to a halt as agitating commuters refused to let the trains move unless there was an assurance from the railway authorities.

The agitation hit other local railway stations like Ghatkopar and Thane as crowds of commuters gathered at these stations due to the unavailability of trains.