India, May 14 -- Train managers or guards on Central Railway (CR) resorted to a "work-to-rule" agitation on Wednesday evening to protest against a new rule aimed at stopping trains from overshooting platforms. From around 5.30pm, for 15-20 minutes, guards followed arcane rules which are rarely followed now - such as limiting train speeds to 5 kilometres per hour or less while entering stations, and not giving the signal for departure if commuters were seen hanging by the foot board.

Though brief, the stir during the evening peak hour had a cascading effect on suburban services. Three trains were cancelled and several services were delayed by 20-25 minutes, even as massive crowds gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)...