Local trains in the Central line are running only up to Ambernath railway station as rail roko protest intensified at Badlapur Station on Tuesday, August 20 over two 4-year-old girls were sexually assaulted in schools in the Badlapur area.
In response to the incident, citizens of Badlapur have called for a city-wide bandh today. Auto-rickshaw drivers, traders' associations, and school bus operators have joined the protest. Many locals were seen sitting on railway tracks near the station.
Also Read | Badlapur Bandh Called by Protestors Over Police Delay in Filing FIR in School Sexual Assault Cases.
Rail Roko Protest at Badlapur Station
DRM Rajnish Goyal told LokmatTimes.com, "From 10:10 am onwards, there is no to and from movement of local trains from Badlapur. We are assessing the situation and will send additional RPF deployment to Badlapur railway station." One of the passengers at railway platform said , "digital indicators have gone blank on railway platforms and local trains are returning from Ambernath station.
Also Read | Mumbai Local Train Update: Trains on Central Line Running 10 to 15 Minutes Late Towards CSMT.
These came in the pick hours on Tuesday amid the heavy rush of commuters and officegoers in the central line travelling in local trains to reach their workplace. Earlier in the day, many travellers complained about the local train being delayed for more than 15 minutes towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Mumbai Division of Central Railway confirmed the disturbance in train services due to a protest at Badlapur railway tracks. The officials said that the local authorities are trying to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
"Due to Public Agitation at Badlapur, local services are affected between Ambarnath and Karjat on both Up and Down lines. Authorities are trying to resolve the issue as early as possible. Inconvenience is regretted," said Central Railway in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Local trains stopped at Badlapur railway station where protesters agitated against the alleged sexual assault incident with a girl child at a school in Badlapur, said CPRO Central Railway, reported by news agency ANI. "Public Agitation due to external matters (outside issues) at Badlapur, local services are affected between Ambarnath and Karjat on both Up and Down lines. Authorities are trying to resolve the issue as early as possible," Central Railway in another post said.