The solution, many believe, is simple: Start additional fast locals from Dombivli and Kalyan between 7.30 am and 9.30 am. No extra rakes or funds are needed—just better management of existing infrastructure
REPRESENTATION PIC
While a section of commuters is demanding a new local train from Diva to CSMT, seasoned passengers and railway observers warn the move may create more problems than it solves. They point out that such a train would likely be full even before reaching Diva, with heavy boarding from Kalwa and Mumbra. Passengers at Diva may still be left out, just as daily commuters from Dombivli and Kalyan struggle to board fast locals that are already packed. Every morning, commuters from Khopoli, Karjat, Badlapur, Ambernath, Titwala, Asangaon, and Kasara face the same issue, locals entering Kalyan and Dombivli are already overcrowded, leaving little chance for boarding. This leads to chaos, and commuters either missing work hours or risking injury.
The solution, many believe, is simple: Start additional fast locals from Dombivli and Kalyan between 7.30 am and 9.30 am. No extra rakes or funds are needed—just better management of existing infrastructure. Commuters have proposed that these new services run as “double-fast” locals — using the slow track up to Kopar, then switching to the fast corridor, stopping only at Diva, Mumbra, and Kalva before heading toward CSMT. There is already a track-change facility before Diva which can be used for this.
During the 2005 Mumbai-Thane floods, when express and mail trains were suspended for nearly five days, Central Railway successfully operated suburban and emergency express services using Platform 4 at Dombivli and select platforms at Kalyan. In that crisis, double engines were attached to express trains to avoid changing drivers at terminals. That same logic was applied to run fast suburban trains from Dombivli. Kalyan also has full infrastructure on Platforms 4, 5, and 6 to handle fast-originating trains.
Currently, there’s a mismatch in AC local services during peak morning hours. Three AC locals leave Kalyan between 6.32 am and 7.34 am, but after that, the next one comes only at 8.51 am from Titwala and 8:54 am from Kalyan (both overlapping in Dombivli). If commuters miss these, they’re forced to wait for the 10.07 am AC double-fast local. Many AC pass-holders are now demanding additional AC locals at 8 am, 8.30 am, and 9.30 am to fill this critical gap.
The long-awaited Kalva–Airoli elevated corridor, which could offer major relief to Navi Mumbai-bound commuters, continues to face delays. Sources blame local political interference and conflicting interests. If implemented, it could significantly decongest Mumbra and Kalva and ease pressure on the Trans-Harbour line.
This correspondent sent messages twice to MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, but received no direct reply. However, Shiv Sena city in-charge Rajesh Kadam later confirmed that Dr Shinde had received the message and found the proposal practical. He assured that Dr Shinde would discuss it with the DRM shortly. On the other hand, multiple messages and calls to the Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway have gone unanswered.
Voices from the ground
Mukesh Malija, a daily traveller
‘If Central Railway can’t start a train from Diva, they must start a fast local from Dombivli on Platform 4 and run it on the fast track with halts at Diva, Mumbra, and Kalwa. Express trains can be routed on the fifth and sixth lines during rush hours.’
Lata Argade, member of Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh
‘If Diva-origin locals are not feasible, starting double-fast services from Dombivli and Kalyan must be considered seriously. We don’t want another Mumbra-like incident due to overcrowding.’
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