On a day when the country celebrated 'Swachhta hi Sewa' to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi, garbage became one of the probable reasons behind the derailment of a local train. On Wednesday, four wheels of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Bandra train derailed between Kings Circle and Mahim stations on the Harbour line. The rail officials from Western Railway (WR) blamed the garbage and filth dumped on and next to rail tracks which do not allow them to carry out necessary maintenance works and thus weakens the infrastructure. Half of the train had crossed Central Railway's jurisdiction and the fourth coach from the front derailed meters away from Mahim station. This is the area surrounded by illegal slums – even those on rail premises – and garbage was strewn all over and around the rail tracks. The train was on a curve when it derailed. "Garbage is a serious issue along this stretch which adversely affects track maintenance. Other factors like the dimension of rail tracks and coaches will also be checked before arriving at any conclusion for the reason behind the derailment. Garbage has been a matter of concern at the location that has been a recurring problem because of the encroachments nearby," said R Bhakar, Chief PRO, Western Railway. Dirty & Unsafe Western Railway authorities had collected 76 tonnes of garbage from the Mumbai suburban section which also included Mahim A few engineers said at the derailment site, there was plastic, feces, wrappers, garbage and other muck Coincidentally, the WR authorities had collected 76 tonnes of garbage from the Mumbai suburban section which also included Mahim where this derailment occurred. Mahim station and its premises are among the filthiest locations on the city's suburban system. "We talk about swachhata but this location here is the opposite. There are garbage and filth all around, even under the wheels which derailed. The slums have encroached on railway land, some even on the tracks. Despite several reminders and meetings held with the state government, these slums have not been removed," said a senior WR official. Few engineers said that at the derailment site, there was plastic, feces, wrappers, garbage and other muck that was one to two feet below tracks which have buried ballasts and stones too.

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