Heavy rains in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh over the past few days have disrupted the schedules of many long distance trains on the Mumbai-Delhi sector on the Western Railways. The water level at bridge number 502 between Bharuch-Ankleshwar on Narmada river is hovering above the danger mark – 40 feet, leading to closure and cancellation of railway traffic. Train movement on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route has been stopped since Sunday night because the Narmada river is flowing above the danger mark between Bharuch and Ankleshwar stations in Gujarat. Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Western Railway, Sumit Thakur said that after the water of Narmada river flowed above the danger mark on bridge number 502 at around 11.50 pm on Sunday night, Train traffic was stopped between Bharuch and Ankleshwar stations in Vadodara section of Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
Trains canceled on Monday (September 18) include 22953 (Mumbai-Ahmedabad), 20901 (Mumbai-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat), (Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat), 12009 (Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express I), 19015 (Dadar- Porbandar), 12933 (Mumbai-Ahmedabad), 12931 (Mumbai-Ahmedabad), 82901 (Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express), 12471 (Bandra Terminus-Shrimata Vaishnodevi Katra-Swaraj Express), 12925 (Bandra T-Amritsar). On the return side, the canceled trains include 12010 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai), 12934 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai), 12932 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai), 82902 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express), 22954 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai), and 09172 (Bharuch-Surat).
A Western Railway spokesperson said 04711 (Bikaner-Bandra Terminus Express), which started its journey on Saturday, and was short-terminated at Ahmedabad, will now run up to Mumbai. Officials said the water level in the river is still above the danger mark, although it has started declining. He said that due to flood, all passenger trains and goods trains have been stopped on both sides of the river. Arrangements are being made to provide refreshments, tea and water to the passengers stranded in the train.
Thakur said that according to our estimate the water level may come below the danger mark after a few hours. He said that helpline numbers have been set up to help passengers get train related information. A Western Railway release said at least one and a half dozen trains, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express and Shatabdi Express, have been canceled due to the floods.
