RailEnquiry

MUMBAI:The Central railway commuters can now heave a sigh from the train delays to atleast some extend. The Kurla Railway Protection Force (RPF) have arrested five people for allegedly stealing Impedence Bond Copper and Auxiliary foils that lead to signal failures and later delays in local trains.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) had received several complaints about Copper and Auxillary Foils missing from signal boxes that led to signal failures and later local and mail trains delaying.

"Initially it was suspected that trains only got delayed due to rains but we later also learnt that signal failures were happening on the Central and Harbour line due to Copper and Auxillary Foils missing from signal boxes these wires are popular among thieves as they get them good money when sold to scrap merchants as heavy amount of copper and aluminum is in it," said a RPF officials.

In May and June the gang was very active and has delayed local trains several times. Especially between the Ghatkopar and Vikhroli stations their were several incidents of signal failures when the railways investigated with the help of their engineers they found the wires missing and then lodged a complaint with the RPF who is responsible for the property of railways.

While investigation the case the railway protection force officals arrested Suddam Hashmi, Tabrez Idrissi, Abdul Khan, scrap merchant Dhadamchan Jain, Ali Khan and Mohammad Shaikh all from Govandi area.

AS the wires gives good returns to the thieves as well as the scrap merchants they buy it. All the accused have been booked under the Indian railway act 1989.