Trauma of Navi Mumbai Suburban Rail Passengers
I am a resident of Navi Mumbai and a regular commuter on
Mumbai Suburban Railways. It is observed that the Trains running on the Harbour
branch of Central Railway are made up of all old cars discarded either from Central Railways’ Main Line or from
some other source.
2. Since past 35 Years, I had not seen any new trains running
on Harbour Line except that 2-3 new trains were introduced in the Year 2012-13.
How ever these new trains disappeared in a couple of months and we are back
with the grand old trains. These trains are made up of old cars discarded from
the Main Line or from some other source. Why
there are no New Trains run on Harbour Line?
4. If they are enforcing this policy, with the
approval of appropriate Authority, then why this kind of partisan treatment to the residents of Navi Mumbai?
5. The Disparity
Central Railway’s Main Line
|
Central Railway’s
Harbour Line
|
Condition of Trains
Almost 80% of trains
running on Central Railway’s Main Line are New / New Generation Trains
|
Not a single New /
New Generation Train is running on Harbour Line. All the trains are made
up of cannibalized cars from other sectors.
|
Fare
Travel on Main Line is comparatively cheaper.
For Example: Monthly Second Class Season Ticket between CSTM and
GHATKOPAR on Main Line is Rs.130/- for a distance of 20 Kms.
|
Travel on Harbour Line is 80.76 % costlier when compared to travel on Main
Line.
Example:Monthly Second Class Season Ticket between VASHI and
PANVEL on Harbour Line is Rs.235/-
for the same distance of 20 Kms.
|
Comfort Level
Travel on Main line is comparatively comfortable because of decent quality of
trains, reasonably well ventilated with fresh air in put, higher frequency of
train services (average 4 min. between Trains), less crowded compartments and
more cars ( 12 & 15 cars) per
train.
|
Travel on Harbour line is horrible! Because the trains are
made up of grand old cars, cramped compartments without any fresh air input,
low frequency of train services(average 10 -15 min. between trains), heavily over
crowded compartments and less cars ( only 9 cars) per train.
|
6. The Railways is charging 80% extra fare for travel in
Navi Mumbai from Harbour Line passengers, but are not caring to provide trains
with good quality cars. They would have replaced these old cars in a phased
manner.
7. Probably they are buying new cars for running on Harbour Line but using
them on Main line. This is an incorrect practice, i.e. a sanctioned amount is
spent for other purpose than the purpose for which it is sanctioned.
8. Had they
introduced 2-3 New Trains every year, Harbour Line would have had a good
population of decent looking trains.
