Western Railway marks 19th anniversary of 7/11 train blasts

Mumbai | Memories of the terrible July 11 evening, when seven explosions ripped apart coaches of suburban trains on the Western Railway in Mumbai, continue to remain fresh in the minds of people as railway staffers paid tribute to the victims on the 19th anniversary of the 7/11 blasts on Friday.

More than 180 people lost their lives, and over 800 sustained injuries when the synchronised blasts hit local trains, which are considered the city's lifeline, at different locations during the evening rush hour on July 11, 2006.

Officials and employees of Western Railway on Friday paid tributes to the victims of the serial blasts.

"The memory of that dark evening remains etched in the minds of Mumbaikars even after 19 years. Today, we remember the victims and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring passenger safety," a senior official of the Western Railway said.

A Western Railway spokesperson said commemorative events were held at Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Santacruz, Jogeshwari, Borivali and Bhayander stations, where the blasts occurred.

The principal chief heads of departments, the Western Railway, visited blast-affected stations to pay homage to the victims and personnel from the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police were present.

Senior officials placed wreaths at these stations and observed a few minutes of silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives, the spokesperson said.

The Western Railway has built a memorial at Mahim station and installed plaques at all seven stations.

Sachin Shinde, a railway commuter, said photographs of the coaches ripped apart in the blasts still flash in front of his eyes.

"Even after so many years, those horrific visuals flash before my eyes. Anniversaries like these remind us to stay alert while travelling on suburban trains," he said.