June 22, 2025: Train services on the vital Mumbai–Bhusawal rail corridor were paralysed for over nine hours early Sunday morning after an overhead electric (OHE) wire snapped between Devlali and Nashik Road stations at around 2am. According to officials from Central Railway, the disruption caused delays, diversions, cancellations, and widespread inconvenience to passengers.
The issue arose shortly after the Mumbai–Hyderabad Devgiri Express passed through the affected section. Services on the down line towards Nashik came to a halt, and, due to heavy train movement on the up line towards Mumbai, no services were permitted until approximately 9:30am. Restoration work was completed by 11am.
At least three trains were significantly delayed. Four others were diverted—three via Vasai Road, Surat, and Jalgaon, and one via Pune. The Mumbai–Howrah Gitanjali Express, LTT–Azamgarh Express, and Tulsi Express were rerouted through alternative corridors, while the Vande Bharat Express to Sainagar Shirdi was diverted via Pune. Two trains were rescheduled by nearly four hours. The Devlali–Bhusawal MEMU service was cancelled altogether.
Railway authorities, including the Bhusawal division, provided relief measures for stranded passengers. Catering arrangements were made, including the distribution of drinking water, snacks, and biscuits at Nashik, Lahavit, and Manmad stations.
Trains began moving through the affected section after clearance was given post-9:30am, with the Shalimar Express, Howrah Mail, and Saket Express among the first to resume journeys.
The Central Railway confirmed the incident and assured that normal services had resumed by late morning. Investigations are underway to identify the cause of the OHE failure and assess preventive measures for future incidents.
Source: Times Of India
