15-car local trains on Central Railway ease crowding but leave commuters confused

CR’s Mumbai division has plans to upgrade the 12-car services to 15-car. File pic/Satej Shinde

Central Railway's (CR) suburban network has taken a significant step towards easing overcrowding with the introduction of 15-car local trains on ten services.

While commuters welcomed the additional capacity, many complained of confusion at stations. Several passengers said they were caught off guard as the coaches' halting positions differed from the earlier 12-car formation.

In the absence of clear platform markings and updated coach position indicators, many were seen rushing across platforms at the last minute to board their trains.

What are the additions?

Indicators not displaying updated coach position. Pic/By Special Arrangement

The upgrade included five down services and five up services. Down trains to Ambernath (9.15 am), Kalyan (12.26 pm), Badlapur (3.03 pm), Karjat (6.21 pm), and Ambernath (11.08 pm) will operate as 15-car services. Up services that were upgraded include trains from Ambernath (7.51 am), Ambernath (11.03 am), Kalyan (1.36 pm), Badlapur (4.47 pm), and Karjat (8.38 pm).

Official Speak

An official said that the CR's Mumbai division has mega plans to upgrade the 12-car services to 15-car ones. Work is still under progress, and the first few services have just been launched. All signage and related works will be completed within a set timeline.

Voices

Mukesh Makhija, AC local commuter
‘We understand that changes are expected with the introduction of 15-car trains, but why are 12-car trains also halting at different positions? Today, the 10.02 am AC local halted about three coaches behind its usual position at Platform 5 in Kalyan, causing complete chaos. Passengers who had been waiting in queues for 15-20 minutes had to run to board the train, leading to heavy crowding at the Kalyan end of the platform'

Nandkumar Deshmukh, president, Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers' Federation
‘The railways have done things in a half-hearted manner and in a hurry. Platform works are incomplete. Also, 15 cars have only been introduced in the Karjat section, not Kasara. Passengers there are feeling left out. I will take up the issue of passenger amenities at the July 25 meeting'

Siddhesh Desai, VP Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh
‘Concentrating these coaches in one section will also enable the Railways and RPF to deploy security personnel, CCTV surveillance, and emergency response resources more efficiently'

Rajesh Ghanghav, president, Kalyan-Kasara-Karjat Railway Passengers' Association
‘As overcrowding in local trains has increased, our organisation had demanded that the railway administration introduce 15-car local trains during the morning and evening peak hours. However, the railways introduced these services at timings without considering commuters' needs. While commuters are happy with the introduction of the 15-car trains, the railways failed to install coach position signage or provide proper announcements regarding the changed coach formations. As a result, on the very first day, many passengers faced inconvenience'

Nitin Parmar, member, Railway Users' Consultative Committee
‘In Karjat, the local train that departs from Platform 2 has been converted to a 15-car service, but the coach position markings - particularly for the First Class coaches - have still not been updated at Karjat station to reflect the new 15-car formation'