Mahalaxmi Express: All stranded passengers evacuated safely amid floods; Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis hail joint rescue

In a major development, all 700 passengers stranded on the Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express since early Saturday morning have been rescued by the NDRF and other teams, the Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer informed.

A special train with 19 coaches has been fixed from Kalyan to Kolhapur which is scheduled to leave with the passengers of the Mahalaxmi Express. The train had been between Badlapur and Vangani in Maharashtra for several hours due to water-logging on tracks due to heavy rainfall in the area. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched a rescue operation to bring the stranded passengers to safety.

READ | Mahalaxmi Express Stranded In Floods: Visuals Show Train's Plight, NDRF Rescues Hundreds

Taking to Twitter following the successful rescue operation, Home Minister Amit Shah praised the efforts by the teams of NDRF, Indian Navy, IAF and Railways and Maharashtra state administration after the 700 passengers onboard Mahalaxmi Express were evacuated from the train safely. 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also thanked the NDRF teams, Army, Indian Navy, railways and police team for their coordinated efforts in rescuing the stranded passengers.

READ | Mumbai Rains LIVE Updates: Flights And Trains Affected As Incessant Downpour Brings City To A Standstill