258 extra buses to help Mumbai commuters

In a swift response to the Mumbai blasts, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking is running 258 extra buses tonight to help stranded commuters on the city's western arterial road.

Western Railway, the lifeline of Mumbai, has come to a grinding halt after seven blasts earlier this evening killed approximately 135 people. All outstation trains coming to Mumbai on the Western line have also been stopped.

The trains are expected to resume by midnight, as railway authorities are busy repairing overhead wires that were damaged by the blasts.

Roads leading from Mumbai city to the Western suburbs are witnessing huge traffic jams at many places. Traffic police outside the Mahim station road have been directing people towards the Western Express Highway to ease the situation.

Meanwhile, BEST Assistant Traffic Superintendent Lothankar says, "Of the 258 buses on the Western line, we have 84 from Churchgate, 33 from Kandivli-Borivli, 28 from Bandra, 12 from Santacruz, 47 from Dadar, 9 from Andheri and 12 from Dindoshi."

Meanwhile, Central Railway, Mumbai's other local train network, including its Harbour line service, are reported to be running normally.