According to eye-witnesses, the train had just left Mumbai Central station, when the cylinder with as yet unidentified gas kept under the row of seats in the extreme end of the coach (first general coach towards Churchgate) burst. Two persons sitting on the seat immediately above the cylinder were injured on their legs and backs and virtually thrown off their seats. The seats also broke into two.

Luckily, the impact of the blast was greatly reduced as the cylinder was wrapped in a sheet of plastic and packed inside a thick leather bag.

The guard who came rushing to the coach, first ordered some of the commuters who were still inside the coach to jump out. An elderly couple was also helped out by fellowcommuters. Three policemen also came down from Mumbai Central to assess the situation.

Finally about 15 minutes later, the badly mauled cylinder was recovered from underneath the seat, and the train was started again. By then, most commuters had walked back to Mumbai Central on the tracks.

``Carrying all inflammable material like kerosene, petrol, fire crackers, gas cylinders etc on trains is completely banned. If found in possession of any inflammable material, the offender can be prosecuted, and even imprisoned,'' said a senior railway official at Churchgate.

``However, it is impossible to keep a check if somebody violates this rule,'' he added helplessly.

The cylinder must have been left behind by some air condition mechanic. ``Generally, such small cylinders are carried by refrigerator and AC repairers. But as no one had seen any person keep the bag under the seat, the offender could have easily escaped taking advantage of all the commotion,'' the official said.

According to a commuter fromBhayander, the rule is violated more by railway officials themselves. ``Especially in the ladies compartment which is almost empty during late hours, several railway officials board the train with kerosene and other dangerous inflammable material which is hazardous. At times, even policemen travel by the same compartments, but no action is taken,'' he said.