Mumbai : The Central Railway announced on Saturday afternoon that all 1,050 passengers on board the stranded Mahalaxmi Express were rescued. The Mahalaxmi Express was stranded in Thane district near Mumbai early on Saturday following heavy overnight rain.
The Chief Minister’s Office announced a special train had been arranged for all the passengers of the Mahalaxmi Express from Kalyan to Kolhapur.
At least nine pregnant women were on board the Mahalaxmi Express, which started its journey from Mumbai to Kolhapur on Friday night. However, the train could not travel beyond Chamtoli.
The National Disaster Response Force, Navy, Air Force, Railway Protection Force and local authorities jointly launched a rescue operation to move the passengers out of the deluged area.
“500 plus people rescued by NDRF so far including 9 pregnant women. Ambulances with 37 doctors with gynaecologist deployed for emergency. Necessary arrangements like food, etc made at Sahyadri Mangal Karayalay. 14 buses, 3 tempos arranged for further movement,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a tweet.
Seven Navy teams, two AIF helicopters, two military columns and local administration teams have been deployed, it said, adding that another two military columns are on the way.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured him that all Central assistance will be provided to the state.