Mumbai local live updates: Job aspirants call off protest, train services resume

Mumbai local train services have been crippled by job aspirants, leaving lakhs of commuters stranded and Central railway cancelling at least 60 trains. Demanding immediate jobs, the protesters have refused to relent despite requests from police and railway authorities.

Pic courtesy: ANI

Several job aspirants on Tuesday staged protesting between Mumbai's Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway stations, stalling local train services in the Maharashtra capital leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. The protesters are demanding employment in Central Railways, claiming they have already cleared the examinations for the same.

The protesters stopped trains plying between Matunga and Dadar stations. Police personnel were rushed to the spot soon after the protests gained momentum. The aspirants reportedly resorted to stone pelting on the cops as they tried to stop them from protesting on railway tracks.

The aspirants claim that they have cleared the examination conducted by the Railways. The Central line of Mumbai local train network runs from Chhatrapati Shivani Terminus to Karjat and Khapoli. As many as 40 to 42 lakh commuters travel via the Central line everyday.

20 March 2018

10:56 IST

Train services resume from 1035 hrs between Matunga and CSMT@RidlrMUM @mumbairailusers @m_indicator

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) March 20, 2018

10:53 IST

#WATCH: Railway traffic resumes between Dadar & Matunga, agitating railway job aspirants still present at the spot where they have been protesting, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/J72KIhc38b

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018

10:53 IST

#UPDATE #Mumbai: Railway traffic resumes, agitating railway job aspirants still present at the spot where they have been protesting, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. pic.twitter.com/hKaZ5mXtGQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018

10:51 IST

Railways clarifies job aspirants did not appear for any examination, says they still have time till March 31 to fill forms. READ FULL STORY

10:50 IST

#railroko few pics to understand the real situation at Matunga. Passengers don't panic. Don't get down from the train unless extreme emergency. Soon u will be taken to ur destination. @smart_mumbaikar @RidlrMUM @LocalPressCo @IndianRailMedia @Indianrlyinfo @prayag pic.twitter.com/SaWoSQ1Gfm

— Mumbai Railway Users (@mumbairailusers) March 20, 2018

10:49 IST

Job aspirants have called off their protest on the Central Line of Mumbai suburban local train services. The trains have started moving between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. However, protesters are yet to vacate the site.

#WATCH: Railway traffic resumes between Dadar & Matunga, agitating railway job aspirants still present at the spot where they have been protesting, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/J72KIhc38b

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018

10:46 IST

Here is the list of trains rescheduled today:

10103 CSMT-Madgaon Mandvi Exp (sch dep 0710 hrs) at 1000 hrs

11301 CSMT-KSR Bengaluru Udyan Exp (sch dep 0810 hrs) at 1015 hrs

12534 CSMT-Lucknow Pushpak Exp (sch dep 0825 hrs) at 1030 hrs

11029 CSMT-Kolhapur Koyna Exp (sch dep 0840 hrs) at 1045 hrs

10:46 IST

I just had word with Railway Minister. Everyone will be given justice. Kindly consider the situation of other students who have left to give their exams today and withdraw the protest: Kirit Somaiya-

10:43 IST

Dabbawalla service affected badly. Most of the dabbawala are stuck at Kalyan, Dombivali, Thane and Kurla station. They will not be able to deliver the food on time today.

10:25 IST

Chief PRO of Railways, Sunil Udasi, has clarified that the protesting aspirants did not appear for any examination. He said that these protesters just pursued apprenticeship at railway workshops. They can still submit their forms till March 31, following which the examinations will be conducted.

10:13 IST

Mumbai's Central line being the busiest, around 2 lakh commuters failed to reach their respective destinations on time following the protest.

10:09 IST

There is an ongoing meeting about the demand of the protestors. Hopefully, by 12pm things should be ok

— Mumbai Live (@MumbaiLiveNews) March 20, 2018

10:04 IST

Updates: Auto are charging very heavily from kurla
Metros are running but are over crowded
30 trains have been cancelled
Mumbai police is helping people to get autos at various station @RidlrMUM #MumbaiLocals #railroko #Dadar #StudentProtest #CentralRailway pic.twitter.com/FMi81R0p1V

— Shahul Inamdar (@ShahulInamdar) March 20, 2018

09:55 IST

Passengers are permitted to travel via western, harbour and trans harbour line on the same ticket and passes till further advise. Inconvenience is regretted.

— DRM MUMBAI CR (@drmmumbaicr) March 20, 2018

09:54 IST

Due to the ongoing agitation b/w Matunga and Dadar, @Central_Railway traffic is badly affected. #BEST has plied additional buses to avoid commuters' inconvenience. #Protestors must think of students going for their exams. @mumbairailusers @fpjindia @smart_mumbaikar @mumbaitraffic pic.twitter.com/tWCn3ZEZ5E

— Diwakar Sharma (@DiwakarSharmaa) March 20, 2018

09:52 IST

There is no disruption on WR lines & WR Mumbai suburban services are running normal #Updates @drmbct

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) March 20, 2018

09:47 IST

A local railway helpline emergency number - 022-23004000 - has been issued.

09:46 IST

Up slow locals are terminating at Kurla and returning as Special in Dn direction@RidlrMUM @m_indicator @mumbairailusers

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) March 20, 2018

09:45 IST

Students shouting slogans against railways held placard in their hands demanding one time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.

09:44 IST

"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.

09:44 IST

"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.

09:44 IST

Entire four lines are affected between Matunga and CSMT. Police and railway official are having talks with them.

09:42 IST

Government must listen to their demands and give them jobs. Their demands are justified, says Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam.

09:41 IST

Job aspirants stall Mumbai local train services: Click here to know what the agitators are demanding

09:40 IST

BEST runs additional buses between Kurla and Kalyan to help stranded commuters.

09:28 IST

As many as 60 local trains from Kurla to CST have been cancelled following the agitation.

09:22 IST

Due to agitation by Railway apprentices between Dadar and Matunga Rly Stations, Train services of Central Railways affected.

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 20, 2018

09:21 IST

#UPDATE #Mumbai: Railway traffic affected as 'rail-roko' agitation by railway job aspirants, continues, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. pic.twitter.com/BgqdfOXR1G

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018

09:10 IST

The students blocked the rail track at 7 am in the morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT.

08:59 IST

Over 500 aspirants are protesting at the spot.

08:59 IST

Due to some agitation between Matunga and Dadar, rail traffic affected between Matunga and CSMT...

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) March 20, 2018

08:59 IST

According to information available, as many as 1800 aspirants are undergoing apprenticeship across Maharashtra at present, of which 400-500 are in Mumbai itself.

08:56 IST

#Mumbai: Railway traffic affected due to student agitation between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, the agitators are demanding jobs in railways. Police has reached the spot. pic.twitter.com/rlFp1K4tBz

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018

08:44 IST

The protesters are currently undergoing apprenticeship in railways with the hope of getting jobs. They are also given stipend by the railways for the same.