At present there are 255 locals running 3,087 services on both WR and CR, ferrying as many as 76 lakh commuters every day
The Indian Railways has merrily announced procurement of 266 new trains for Mumbai but parking space for rakes is fast depleting as car sheds reach a saturation point, sending the authorities scurrying to scout for land.
At present there are 255 locals running 3,087 services on both WR and CR, ferrying as many as 76 lakh commuters every day.
The suburban officials are dreading a scenario when as many more rakes as currently exist — including air-conditioned ones — are added to the rolling stock in the coming years.
Earlier this month, Railway Board members and suburban rail officials met to discuss how to augment existing capacity at railway yards and carve out new one on central and western lines.
"The Railway Board has asked us to augment the holding capacity at Virar car shed," said a WR official. The shed can hold around 90 rakes, but at present 60 are parked there. To allow for more, some work will have to be carried out.
Currently, the WR has parking space for around 140 rakes at the yards at Virar, Mahalaxmi and Kandivali, and also at sidings, which are open rail tracks near stations where trains are stabled at night.
Similarly on the central ine, the three car sheds at Kurla, Kalwa and Sanpada and the sidings can accommodate around 160-odd rakes.
"With newer rakes coming in each month, the number for Mumbai has touched 150. If new parking space is not allotted soon, we will have to condemn old rakes which are still good for a few more years," said a CR official.
A rake's life is 25 years. If it undergoes periodic overhauling, it can be operated for up to 30 years.
Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation officials said they have begun looking for space outside city limits. "We are looking for land near Boisar and Mahape for setting up car sheds. These will be used to accommodate AC trains that shall be procured in near future," said an MRVC official.
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Currently, the WR has parking space for around 140 rakes at the yards at Virar, Mahalaxmi and Kandivali, and also at sidings, which are open rail tracks near stations where trains are stabled at night.
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