June 24, 2025: Mumbai’s fast suburban railway services on the Central Railway Main Line were severely disrupted on Monday night following a critical overhead wire failure between Kurla and Sion stations. The incident, which occurred around 10:10 pm, caused major delays and inconvenience to thousands of commuters travelling towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
According to Central Railway officials, the disruption was caused by a snapped overhead wire on the Up fast line, compounded by a pantograph failure on an Asangaon–CSMT-bound local train. The pantograph, which connects electric trains to the overhead power lines, is vital for traction. When damaged, it can immobilise the train and complicate power restoration efforts.
All fast services were immediately diverted to the slow corridor, easing some operational pressure but resulting in significant overcrowding and delays of 15 to 20 minutes. Maintenance crews were deployed overnight to repair the broken wire and inspect the faulty pantograph. Full operations resumed early Tuesday morning after comprehensive safety and technical checks.
“This incident underscores the need for modernising the electrical infrastructure of Mumbai’s suburban railways,” a senior official remarked. “Predictive maintenance using smart sensors and AI could help detect faults before they escalate.”
Transport analysts have long urged the adoption of real-time diagnostics to identify early warning signs, such as tension anomalies in overhead wires or irregular pantograph movement. Such upgrades are seen as essential to preventing future breakdowns in one of the world’s busiest suburban rail networks.
Although Central Railway managed to restore services swiftly, experts and commuters alike have raised concerns about the fragility of the system. With Mumbai’s growing dependence on eco-friendly public transport, ensuring the operational resilience of railway infrastructure is not merely a logistical necessity—it is critical to the city’s economic and environmental future.
Source: Urban Acres
