7 trains moving at the same time on 7 tracks at 7 am at CSTM today

It’s been a few months since the 7th line to Mazgaon yard from CSTM had been laid and used for shunting empty rakes from CSTM and back. I commute daily to CSTM from DI and always wanted to see action happening on all 7 tracks simultaneously. At the most I had seen 6 tracks being used by running trains but never 7 at the same time. But today my prayers were answered.


I had caught the 5:57 am Fast local to CSTM from DI. After KJT-Vangani section went AC, a MRVC rake is used for this service. The local was before time today and we left at 5:56 am and All Green was the signal right until Thane outer we sped past Kopar, Diva, and the Parsik Tunnel and finally slowed down and entered Platform No 6 at Thane. We reached at 6:06 am against the scheduled time of 6:10 am. I got down and rushed to Platform no 4 to catch a Thane starting slow local at 6:10. I normally do that to travel with comfort as well as gaze at the M/E trains that whiz past me on the UP and Down fast tracks. As we stopped at Sandhurst Road lower, I could see a harbour UP local approaching Sandhurst Road Upper level station. On the 7 line from the yard, I could see a KYN WDM2 pulling an empty rake of Pushpak Express to CSTM. It was slowly negotiating the turnout of the yard to get into the 7 line. As we started moving towards, Masjid , the UP harbour line local was descending the ramp. Soon we were joined by a WCAM3 21949 hauled 2116 Solapur-Mumbai Siddheshwar Express on the UP fast track. Now we had 4 trains moving in the UP direction. From the corner of the eye, I could spot a DC EMU rake bound to Panvel on the Down harbour line approaching the ramp along with a Down slow train to Thane on the Down slow track. Now we had 6 trains running side by side and I just wanted the Down fast track also to see some action to see my long cherished dream succeed.


To exceed my expectations, a WDP4 20059 with LHF was pulling out Mandovi Express out of CSTM with its 24 coach load. Yes, that completed the much awaited dream. By the time we stopped at Masjid. I was sure that both WCAM3 hauled Siddheshwar Express and WDM2 hauled empty rake of Pushpak express must have got a RED at Masjid as point were not yet cleared by the outgoing Mandovi Express. As soon as Mandovi Express cleared the points, another sight was awaiting me. Both the trains were given an Amber. Pushpak was slowly moving towards the new platforms 16/17 or 18 as I don’t know where it was finally parked. Siddheshwar was running parallel to it on the adjacent line to terminate finally on Platform no 9 and my slow local made its way to platform no 3 at CSTM. It was indeed a good start to the day and I expected a good day at office too. The controllers at CSTM had done a commendable job.

It happens only in Mumbai locals

It is that time of the year when rains batter the Mumbai locals with full thrust. We have a local folklore which goes as follows;” The only thing that can stop Mumbai locals is heavy rains”. As we are already into the monsoon season, the hawkers of mobile phones plastic covers are doing brisk business in the trains. As usual, I was commuting to my office by a Slow local to CSTM for an afternoon shift. I was surrounded by a group of Gujarati traders who get in mostly at Mulund and Ghatkopar and get down at Masjid. They are a real menace, for the amount of noise that they make in the compartment.


A small boy, all of 9-10 years entered our coach at Byculla and started selling plastic covers for cell phones. This group of 7 traders bought one each and after paying off Rs 35 for 7 covers @ Rs. 5 per cover, they were happy that they have managed to buy the covers at dirt cheap rate. As each of them were trying to put their mobile phones into the newly purchased plastic covers, it dawned upon them that out of the 7 , 2 were already torn and by the time they could catch hold of the boy, he had got down at Sandhurst Road Lower. The train had also started moving by then. Many of us within the compartment couldn’t control our emotions and burst into laughter. The 2 unlucky traders however rued the fact for being the butt of everybody’s jokes.

Why is it so difficult to speak the truth?

Since time immemorial, elders have preached the young to speak only the truth, at any cost. Even though they themselves aren’t following the path, they want their off springs to be truth worthy. So why is it so difficult to speak the truth? I will never find answers to these questions…..·

What is the temptation that allows one to follow the wrong path?
Is it the excitement of getting away easily?
Is it the way of telling people around you how clever or street smart you are?
Is it that you are a coward?
Is it the agony of being reprieved for something which you are responsible?
Is it so important to save your face?
Is it necessary to blacken someone else’s face to protect your identity?
Is it the fear of being caught in the act so less that you are ready to brave it, if and when caught? Are you doing it for the sake of fun or is it serious business?
Are you born with it or learnt it while you grew up?
Is it your upbringing or the circumstances that made you commit the crime?