PTI

Mumbai, Feb 4: Services on the city's Western Railway (WR) line were severely disrupted on Wednesday following protests by thousands of commuters who blocked the tracks demanding more trains from suburban Borivali to Churchgate.

"The protestors numbering in thousands blocked the tracks from 0918 hours and did not allow north or south bound services to operate from Borivali," a railway police official said.

Some train services have however now resumed at Borivali station. Two Churchgate-bound trains have already left Borvili station. Police had to lathicharge protestors at the station to control the crowds.

The protestors were allegedly demanding more services between Borivali and Churchgate on the slow tracks, he said, adding that trains on the fast line were operational but delayed.

The protests reportedly sparked off after a train was cancelled in the morning.

Trains beyond suburban Andheri were also disrupted and many commuters had to resort to alternative modes like road transport to get to their destinations.

"I had to use a rickshaw to get to my workplace since it was not clear when the protest would end," a commuter said.

The city's public bus service BEST provided extra buses outside Borivali to cater to commuters leaving from there and other stations affected by the protest.

Over 63 lakh people everyday travel by the Western Railway line and lakhs of commuters board and alight locals from Borivali, an important junction.

Meanwhile, actor and Congress MP from north Mumbai Govinda alleged that the "protests are motivated."
"In the last five years, the number of train services on the Western line have been increased considerably," he said.

The Western Railways had witnessed protests last year as well, over services between the stations of Borivali and Virar with commuters demanding more trains to cater to the growing number of passengers.