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Laluji, here goes Mumbaikars’ wishlist

Even as railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav prepares to present the railway budget on Tuesday, he has received a wishlist of the 6.5 million Mumbaikars who travel by local trains daily.

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MUMBAI: Even as railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav prepares to present the railway budget on Tuesday, he has received a wishlist of the 6.5 million Mumbaikars who travel by local trains daily. The wishlist, presented by commuter associations, includes demands like no change in existing fares, projects already announced be expedited and funds invested in railway projects be diverted to Mumbai.

“We presented Yadav a memorandum on February 7, demanding completion of pending projects, including new tracks between Kurla and Thane,” Shailendra Kamble, convenor of the Pravas Adhikar Andolan Samiti, said. He added that once basic facilities were in place, railways should introduce AC coaches in suburban trains as well. Also, more trains must be added on the Vasai-Diva section.

“Nothing concrete had been announced in the budget for the city’s commuters last year. This time, we expect some respite,” Dipak Gandhi, chairman of the Mumbai Suburban Passengers Association said. “The process of getting new trains must be expedited,” he said.

“We do not mind paying a surcharge, provided travelling in locals is made comfortable,” said Dipti Vyas, a resident of Bhayander.

“The suburban fares would not be changed, but fares of mail express trains could be restructured,” an Indian Railways official said. “The second phase of MUTP, which was recently sanctioned by the state government, could be sanctioned in the budget. Additional trains for the state could be announced, specially between Pune and Nashik, once the work on this section is over,” the official added.

“Improved Rajdhanis and Shatabdis could be introduced to fight competition from low-cost airlines,” a source from Indian Railways said. Since Garib Rath, introduced last year, had become popular among the masses, the minister could introduce more such services, the source added.

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