Train hits bus at level crossing in Sanpada, 3 hurt

An empty rake coming out of the yard from the Sanpada car shed hit a Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) bus near Juinagar, injuring three people. However, no loss of life was reported in the accident. According to sources, the incident occurred on Saturday at 3 pm, when the train was on its way to Nerul from the car shed. As the railway crossing was unmanned, the bus driver tried to speed, not heeding the honking by the motorman of the train. The NMMT bus number 18, running from Vashi to Ulwe, was crossing the railway tracks near Juinagar railway station.

The NMMT bus driver, Rahul Gaikar, 28, said in a police statement, “When I saw the train, it had stopped at a distance. As I saw two autorickshaws pass the crossing, I too sped. However, as I was halfway across, the train began honking and picked up pace.”

Gaikar further said, he tried to move past quickly, but it was too late, the train had hit the vehicle by then. Three bus passengers who were sitting by the window sustained injuries.

The passengers were rushed to DY Patil hospital for treatment.

A railway official said, “The rake was empty and was on its way to Nerul, when the accident occurred. Harbour line traffic was not affected and the vehicle was moved within 20 minutes.”

Nerul police have detained the motorman and Gaikar to record their statements. Police are likely to book the NMMT bus driver and are still awaiting a complaint from railway officials.

A Central Railway official in a statement, said, "The crossing on the yard line between the car shed and Juinagar is unauthorised. The road has been built by CIDCO without approval of Railways. The railways has been insisting that NMMC and CIDCO construct a ROB from the past many years." However, an officer level enquiry has been ordered into the incident.