CR AC local debut: Stampede-like situation at Thane

Mumbai: A stampede-like situation occurred at the suburban Thane station Friday, after chaos prevailed as commuters thronged to board the air-conditioned local on the first day of its regular run. The air-conditioned train services had started in the early hours of the day but the problem arose after 8am during peak hours.

Eyewitnesses claimed that passengers thronged the station to board the train, causing a stampede-like situation on platforms.

Because of overcrowding, the automated doors of the train could not close, a commuter said. Following this, similar scenes were witnessed at every station, causing the situation to deteriorate further.

The railways had deployed security personnel inside and outside the train. The ensuing chaos also led to delay in the scheduled train services by 15 to 20 minutes during the morning peak hours, a railway official said.

“We are appealing to people not to board the air-conditioned train without a valid ticket, so the doors of the train close without any problem,” chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said. Security will be further beefed up inside and outside the train at Thane station during evening peak hours from 4.30 onwards, he said.