It didn’t rain today and the trains were running almost on time. Still I got late to work by a few minutes! Damn, though the train to CST arrived on time (8:53) at Vashi station, it was so crowded I couldn’t even find a centimeter of space to board it. Looks like all those who bunked office in the last 2-3 days due to rains decided to resume today.
I had no choice but to wait for 14 minutes coz unfortunately there isn’t any train until 9:07. That’s a huge gap in frequency at peak hours! We must have at least two trains reaching Vashi Station between 8:53 and 9:07. What do you think?
Trains on time at Vashi, still got late
Labels: Thane Vashi Trains, Vashi Station
Trains, Rains and Me in Mumbai – 14th July 2009 Morning
I couldn’t sleep last night for 2 reasons. Firstly, I was completely unwell. Secondly, the sound of breeze with heavy rainfall was frightening enough to awaken Kumbhakaran from his sleep.
So for me, there was no question of sleeping until late due to the sleepy rainy climate. I got up from bed with fever and acidity but I was sure I’ll be able to make it to work... somehow I have the tendency to reach office almost on time especially when it’s pouring kutte billi.
I managed to catch my regular train from Koparkhairane, coz it was a few minutes late. Then I managed to catch a train starting from Vashi almost instantly, coz it was some 45 minutes late. And then, what I was expecting happened – the train wasn’t crowded! I knew that Navi Mumbai janta will leave late from home until they are sure that the local trains are running properly.
Getting off at Kurla and rushing to another platform for my last train in the morning too was like cakewalk – no cheekhna chillaana, no pushing on the foot-over bridge, no giddiness. But soon I faced reality when I started feeling like mayonnaise in a burger… smashed like hell in the crowded compartment. The overcrowded train appeared to prove to the tortoise that it was slower and steadier. Not to blame the motorman of our CST bound local train who was taking utmost care to ensure that the train moved smoothly as water logging had started on the tracks. I noticed people near Tilak Bridge station walking in knee-deep water (zero exaggeration) and wondered if the situation in Parel would be the same. Fortunately, I escaped water-walk at Parel and reached office just a few minutes late.
Well, so my journey to work on a bad rainy day was pleasant enough – not drenched, not very late and all. But then, the day was going too good to be true. Things aren’t that perfect always, are they? Here’s about my return trip.
Mumbai water logging news - Rains hit rail, road traffic
Rail, Road Traffic Affected as Rains Hit Mumbai: Jul 14, 2009: Rail and road traffic in Mumbai got affected as rains hit the city on Tuesday.
Local trains on both the central and western lines were running 20-25 minutes late.
Water logging was reported from low-lying Parel, Sion, Andheri, Vadala, Hindmata, Santacruz, Dadar and Mulund...
Read more here.
As on 14th July, 11:30 am
Mumbai local trains status - Trains running late again due to heavy rains |
Last night it poured very heavily in Koparkhairane, though I have not much idea about other parts of Navi Mumbai / Mumbai. But obviously, the trains were running late and how! I boarded an 8:15 Vashi local to CST only after 9. The CST bound trains from Kurla too were running late. In fact, it took me over 30 minutes in the train from Kurla to Parel station.
I hear (television news) that there’s water logging on many tracks, though Mrinal just told me that at around 11:30 am there wasn’t water logging on Wadala tracks as is appearing in the news. Perhaps it’s an earlier footage. Anyways, the best way to know about the current state would be to call up friends who travel on your regular route.
I also hear (television news) that there’s a high tide at around 4 pm.
Do keep updating the status here.
As on 14th July, 2009 (11:30 am)





