Mumbai:
Monday was a nightmare for Mumbai's daily commuters as Railway motormen went on a strike demanding higher wages. The Mumbai Western Railways says only 15 per cent of services will be operational today and has asked commuters not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
The strike badly hit Mumbai's lifeline on Monday, affecting trains on the Western line as a result there was a chaos at the Churchgate station and police had to be deployed. The government provided buses to ferry commuters, long distance trains were also pressed into service.
Angry commuters surrounded the station masters' cabin. Twenty-eight special trains were pressed into service and few motormen who were not part of the strike ran these trains.
On a weekday, the Western line operates with 1,200 trains and 30 lakh commuters.
The Central Line saw over 40 trains cancelled since Monday morning and commuters were travelling in long-distance trains, railway officials said. Authorities even asked offices to be shut down early.
Motormen initially went on a hunger strike by evening. Many refused to drive the trains, both rails services ended up cancelling trains.
Strike impact on Monday
Central Railway: 167 out of 1494 trains cancelled
Western Railway:70 out of 1240 trains cancelled
The government had advised offices to relieve staff early and provided more bus services as rail traffic spilled onto the roads.
Commuters were held up at different stations and opted for alternative modes to reach home, causing massive traffic jam on Eastern and Western highway besides several other artillery roads.
Late on Monday night, Railways indicated it might hold discussions with Maharashtra government on invoking ESMA against the striking motormen if the situation does not improve.
"We may hold discussions with the Maharashtra Government on invoking ESMA if the situation does not improve," said a Railway spokesperson.
(With PTI inputs)
The strike badly hit Mumbai's lifeline on Monday, affecting trains on the Western line as a result there was a chaos at the Churchgate station and police had to be deployed. The government provided buses to ferry commuters, long distance trains were also pressed into service.
Angry commuters surrounded the station masters' cabin. Twenty-eight special trains were pressed into service and few motormen who were not part of the strike ran these trains.
On a weekday, the Western line operates with 1,200 trains and 30 lakh commuters.
The Central Line saw over 40 trains cancelled since Monday morning and commuters were travelling in long-distance trains, railway officials said. Authorities even asked offices to be shut down early.
Motormen initially went on a hunger strike by evening. Many refused to drive the trains, both rails services ended up cancelling trains.
Strike impact on Monday
Central Railway: 167 out of 1494 trains cancelled
Western Railway:70 out of 1240 trains cancelled
The government had advised offices to relieve staff early and provided more bus services as rail traffic spilled onto the roads.
Commuters were held up at different stations and opted for alternative modes to reach home, causing massive traffic jam on Eastern and Western highway besides several other artillery roads.
Late on Monday night, Railways indicated it might hold discussions with Maharashtra government on invoking ESMA against the striking motormen if the situation does not improve.
"We may hold discussions with the Maharashtra Government on invoking ESMA if the situation does not improve," said a Railway spokesperson.
(With PTI inputs)
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