As Mumbaikars eagerly await the arrival of the much-promised direct local train between Churchgate and Dahanu, the Western Railway now says that the service is unlikely to see the light of day before 2012.
As builders, residents and commuters eagerly await the arrival of the much-promised direct local train between Churchgate and Dahanu, the Western Railway now says that the service is unlikely to see the light of day before 2012.
Though technically the tracks are ready and trains can be run at 50kmph on the two bridges that are being upgraded, railway officials said that they would start plying trains on the section only after they convert all nine-car trains into 12-car in the next few months.
“We do have spare trains now, but the priority is to convert the nine-cars to 12-car first and then run trains to Dahanu. This will not be possible before 2012 or by Christmas 2011,” a senior official said.
Chief spokesperson Sharat Chandrayan was positive in this regard and said that they had targeted trains to Dahanu “within this financial year”, that is anytime before April 2012.
Suburban trains on the Western Railway ply on the 60km distance between Churchgate and Virar which had led to massive urbanisation and formation of small townships along the border of the city in Virar and Vasai. With the railways working on extending local trains to Dahanu, the city is set to expand its wings 60km ahead of Virar, making a large amount of unexplored land open for development.
A large number of construction and housing projects have already lined up in the area. The 60-km stretch between Virar and Dahanu has seven stations, including Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar and Vangaon. Biggies like Tata Housing have also recently launched a low-cost housing project near Boisar along the line.
Right now, those travelling by local train anywhere in Mumbai and wanting to ply beyond Virar have to switch trains at Virar station and change to shuttle trains which have a limited frequency and ply between Virar and Dahanu. The main constraints for running suburban services to be extended to Dahanu Road included inadequate track capacity and lack of terminal facilities at Dahanu Road.
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