Mumbai: Over 50 local trains affected due to Dalit protests

Policemen patrol on tracks at a suburban railway station in Mumbai (Reuters)

MUMBAI: Services of at least 50 local trains were affected after protesters took to streets calling a city-wide bandh over Pune's Koregaon-Bhima violence in Mumbai on Wednesday. 

Protesters stopped trains between Churchgate at Goregaon and towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. 

With protests squatting on tracks, local trains running towards CSMT were forced to halt at several stations. Services of all suburban AC local EMUs were cancelled for the day in view of safety.

By 4 pm, both Central and Western Railways took to social media informing that normal services have resumed and there's no disruption on suburban and long distance trains.

There is no disruption on WR section in Mumbai.Suburban & Long Distance services are running on all lines. Efforts being made to provide local trains at regular interval/every 10 mins during evening peak hours. Administration & Security Forces on alert & monitoring the situation

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) January 3, 2018

All paths clear on Central Railway. Services are being normalised. No need to panic... we are committed to ensure smooth operations of trains

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) January 3, 2018

"Many protestors have come from distant places and gathered at Ghatkopar to make their bandh a success. We are persuading them to not stall trains," as per IANS.

The Dalit protesters halted several Mumbai local trains and pelted stones.