To stop train pull chain ! ! !

It’s being said that after serial blasts in Mumbai locals the railway department has taken several measures from technology to security for the safety of the commuters. But reality and the conditions shout a different story.

It was a frightening and thrilling experience. I boarded in a crowded Mumbai local’s 1st class coach from Wadala, as I have to change my EMU to reach at my place. Due to rush I was standing in the passage between the seats. The people were busy in their work, what ever they were doing, sleeping, reading and some in mobile chats.

Till Kurla everything was fine but when train reached near to Tilak Nagar station, the guy sitting on the window seat screamed “Saanp, Saanp, Saanp” (Snake). Listening to his words everyone became frighten. People started jumping and climbing on the seats and on each other. The situation was terrible, I, who was standing in the passage, was hanging on the overhead handle rod! In between somebody screeched to pull the chain. The guy near to the window tried many times, pulled the chain again and again. The train was on its as usual speed and didn’t stop.

Later people realised that it’s not a snake but some other thing, which is coming up and hammering the floor due to changing of tracks.

But I have a question, the train was supposed to stop if the chain has been pulled, but it did not, why? Was the motorman sleeping, he did not even bothered whether there is an emergency or not. In between train halted on two stations, Chembur and Govandi, people were screaming but no one from the railways or from security even turned to check the situation.

The government proudly says that it has controlled the situation and has taken measures to ensure the public safety. Is this a measure taken by it? Who will stop the train if the chain has been pulled? In case, if there had been a snake or a bomb then what?

- Khan M. Asim