Commuters boycott train services in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Hundreds of commuters on Monday decided to boycott trains on the suburban line of Western Railways to protest against 'inadequate' train services on a particular route.

The boycott was called by 'Pravasi Adhikar Aandolan Samiti' (PAAS) between 6 am to 6 pm on Monday, which is demanding more trains between Churchgate in South Mumbai to suburban Virar, a route that normally sees lakhs of commuters travel on it daily.

"The protest will be peaceful and no attempt will be made to stop trains or people from boarding them", Shailendra Kamble, convenor of the PAAS said.

"The organisation would protest through slogan-chanting and picketing outside stations between Mira Road and Virar to protest against the inhumane conditions faced by commuters daily", he said.

Railway police said that there had been no incidents of violence reported yet and there was tight security at all stations between Mira Road and Virar.

Western Railways had quadrupled rail tracks between suburban station of Borivali and Virar which was inaugurated earlier this year, but the PAAS is protesting against 'under-utilization of the infrastructure available'.