Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Central Railway Seeks Report on Employee Strike After Commuter Deaths
Some train workers in Mumbai were upset because some of their colleagues got in trouble after a previous train accident.
They decided to stop working for a little while at a big train station.
This caused many more people than usual to crowd onto the trains that were still running.
Sadly, because so many people were packed onto the trains, two people got off a crowded train and were hit by another train, and they passed away.
Now, the train bosses want to know exactly why the workers stopped working.
Some people who use the trains are very angry and think the workers should be punished for causing so much trouble and for the deaths.
Central Railway is seeking a report on a flash strike by employees at CSMT that halted train services for nearly an hour.
The strike occurred on Thursday evening, protesting an FIR against engineers in the June 9 Mumbra accident where five commuters died.
During the strike, two commuters died and three were injured near Sandhurst Road station after being hit by a train, likely due to overcrowding.
Railway unions claim their protest was limited to demonstrations and not a 'Rail Roko' (train stoppage), attributing the sit-in to spontaneous employee reactions.
Commuters and activists are demanding accountability for the strike's disruption and the subsequent commuter deaths, calling for legal action against those responsible.
- Who
- Central Railway employees' unions, Central Railway authorities, commuters, passengers
- What
- A flash strike by Central Railway employees at CSMT protesting an FIR against engineers, which halted train services, led to overcrowding, and occurred shortly before two commuters died after being hit by a train.
- When
- Friday (report sought), Thursday evening (strike and commuter deaths), June 9 (Mumbra accident)
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, near Sandhurst Road railway station, and Mumbra
- Why
- The strike was to demand quashing of an FIR against engineers related to the Mumbra accident. The commuter deaths occurred after they alighted from an overcrowded train due to the strike.
Railway Unions/Employees
Commuters and Activists
Reason for Protest
Railway Unions/Employees
Protest was to demand the quashing of an FIR against engineers in the Mumbra accident, claiming it was caused by overcrowding, not technical faults. Some leaders stated their protest was outside the DRM's office and a sit-in by some employees outside the motormen lobby was spontaneous, not a union-led 'Rail Roko'.
Commuters and Activists
Protest was unlawful and caused severe hardship and overcrowding, leading to the deaths of two commuters. Demands include prosecuting those responsible for halting train operations and fixing responsibility for the Sandhurst Road incident.
Involvement in Train Stoppage
Railway Unions/Employees
Union leaders claimed they did not stop trains or prevent employees from working, and that the 'Rail Roko' was not their agitation.
Commuters and Activists
Accused employees of halting train operations during peak hours, causing trains to stop for nearly an hour and leading to heavy overcrowding.
Investigation into Incidents
Railway Unions/Employees
Demanded the FIR against engineers be quashed and proposed a judicial probe into the Mumbra incident.
Commuters and Activists
Demanded fixing of responsibility for the Sandhurst Road incident and called for an FIR against employees under ESMA for halting train operations.
- Location of Strike
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) lobby, Mumbai
- Date of Strike
- November 6, 2025 (Thursday evening)
- Trains Stopped
- No trains departed from CSMT between 5:50 pm and 6:45 pm
- Mumbra Accident Date
- June 9
- Mumbra Accident Fatalities
- Five passengers
- FIR Filed Against
- Senior section engineer and section engineer of Central Railway for Mumbra accident
- Sandhurst Road Incident Fatalities
- Two commuters
- Sandhurst Road Incident Injuries
- Three injured
