Fire at Kanjurmarg signalling hut disrupts Central Railway services for hours; probe ordered

Mumbai’s Central Railway suburban services were severely disrupted on Monday (October 26, 2026) after a fire broke out inside a signalling hut at Kanjurmarg around 9.30 a.m., damaging signalling equipment and affecting train operations on all six lines between Bhandup and Vikhroli.According to railway officials, the fire damaged the Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) rack and signalling and telecommunications (S&T) instruments, causing signals along the affected stretch to go blank. Nearly 24 signals were affected, resulting in prolonged delays and leaving several trains stranded. Some commuters were also seen walking along railway tracks.In a separate incident, a wire hanging from overhead equipment between Thane and Mulund disrupted services on the Down slow line. Railway authorities carried out repairs and restored the affected section around 10.48 a.m..Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Central Railway, said restoration work at Kanjurmarg was undertaken on a war footing, with technical teams deployed to repair the damaged equipment.The Down fast line was declared fit for operations at 4.10 p.m., followed by the Up fast line at 4.46 p.m. and the Down slow line at 5.30 p.m.. The Up slow line was restored at 6.18 p.m., bringing all four suburban lines back into operation.Central Railway has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the exact cause of the fire.Appealing to commuters to exercise caution as services resumed, Nila said, “We earnestly appeal to commuters not to alight or walk on tracks, as train movements are actively resuming.” Published - October 27, 2026 12:15 am IST