Diva Level Crossing Affects 80-90 Train Services Daily

CR says the crossing can be shut only after a road over bridge is built, but it's been stuck for six years

- Shashank Rao and Anamika Gharat

MUMBAI/THANE: Monday's freak accident, which led to the death of four commuters who fell out of two speeding local trains, has highlighted two chronic challenges that have repeatedly turned daily commutes into deadly risks on Mumbai's suburban railway system — overcrowding and delays in train services.

With the accident taking place near Mumbra station, the spotlight has turned to Diva Junction, just one station north of Mumbra. More specifically, it's the level crossing at Diva, which spans all 10 rail lines that pass through this busy station, and an under-construction road over bridge (ROB) above the level crossing, that are the subject of debate.

Central Railway (CR) officials say Diva is one of the busiest stations on the Main Line. Of the 894 daily services on this line, 70-75% halt at Diva station. Against this backdrop, the level crossing at Diva significantly impacts the punctuality of train services.

To shut the level crossing permanently, an ROB is being built above the level crossing, so that vehicular traffic can cross overhead — but delays in its construction could be endangering lives.

Delays: How bad?

The railway said, on average, the level crossing at Diva is opened at least 39 times a day, allowing 8-9 lakh vehicles to cross the tracks on this east-west route.