Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: The Western Railway is planning to convert around 100 more 12-car locals into 15-car services. The augmentation will provide additional accommodation to commuters this year.
Mumbai is among the largest cities in the world, with an estimated population of over 2.4 crores. The lifeline of India’s maximum city is said to be the Mumbai Suburban Railway which, some data suggests, carries over 70 lakh passengers per day.
The additional cars on the route will increase the carrying capacity of these services by 25 per cent and will indeed be a new year’s gift for passengers on the Western line.
Under normal conditions, at least 6,000 passengers can travel in a 15- car train. The capacity of a 12-car train is around 4,000 passengers.
It was on June 28, 2021, that Western Railways introduced services with 15 rakes between Andheri and Virar. It is now operating around 1,250 local services of which 79 are 15-rake services, and the rest are running with 12 cars, according to reports.
In addition, infrastructure is being enhanced, including extension of platforms for the 15-car services.
The extension of 27 platforms at 14 stations on a slow corridor of about 40-km stretch between Andheri and Virar has been carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore. According to reports, the increase in carrying capacity will be completed in a phased manner as per availability of coaches.
Also, to facilitate smooth traffic of passengers boarding or alighting, remodelling of four major yards, additional construction of five footoverbridges, and provision of double discharge facility at Jogeshwari is being taken up.
