The 45 lakh commuters in the Central line can expect a Diwali gift from Central Railway. This month the CR will get its first air-conditioned (AC) local that is expected to come in a couple of weeks from now, and probably run as a service from Diwali.
The 45 lakh commuters in the Central line can expect a Diwali gift from Central Railway. This month the CR will get its first air-conditioned (AC) local that is expected to come in a couple of weeks from now, and probably run as a service from Diwali.
Currently, the AC rake is being manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai which shall be dispatched in the coming days. "We expect this rake to arrive in Mumbai within a fortnight. Since trials have already been conducted in the past, there might not be any need for the same," said a Central Railway official on condition of anonymity.
At present, the authorities are working out the scheme of things, namely whether to run an entire AC local or half AC and half non-AC in a 12-car train. All this shall be decided in the coming days. Sources said that the authorities are likely to run half AC locals as Railway ministry in Delhi is keen on this format. Also, it will cater to more passengers than in an AC local used by a limited number of commuters.
The CR authorities are most likely to run this AC local on the Thane-Vashi-Panvel Trans harbour line used by at least 4 lakh commuters daily. Earlier this September, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had asked the CR authorities to work out a plan whereby they can run 4-6 AC locals on the Trans-harbour rail network.
The Railways are looking at getting at least 3 AC locals and run them on the Thane-Panvel route by this year-end thus ensuring more services. This would be better than introducing a single AC rake. Likewise, by March next year, around 5-6 AC locals should be available for the public on this route. As per plans, both CR and WR will get 6 AC locals each.
Over the years there has been tremendous growth in this part of Mumbai's metropolitan region. Areas like Airoli, Rabale, Ghansoli, Kopar Khairane etc have become hubs for residential, commercial and office purposes. A lot many offices have shifted here and there has been a rise in the number of daily commuters travelling on the Trans-Harbour line. Moreover, it is close to Thane as well. On the other side is Navi Mumbai which has attracted lakhs of Mumbaikars thanks to its green space, wider roads and better infrastructure. The rail ministry has asked both Central and Western Railway authorities to improve the footfall in the AC local which until now has remained dismal.
It has been nearly 2 years now but yet the demand from people has not been much on the Churchgate-Virar route. The average daily travellers in AC local on WR is mere 1500-1700 or so per service. Coincidentally, the first AC local was to run on CR but they refused due to technical issues and was later transferred to WR. It is namely because of the height of British era bridges between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Kurla which does not give clearance for the AC locals to run. At present, an average of 4270mm is the height of these bridges above rail tracks, which is well below the need to run AC local on this stretch. So the idea to operate AC local in a different section having varied target audience has been taken. In the near future private operators could also be roped in to run local suburban trains starting with the Trans-harbour line.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "AC locals")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}