RAILWAY SAMACHAR

MRVC wants to connect the two

suburbs via a local train service

This will come as a relief to those who live in suburbs such as Virar and commute to Panvel.

Mumbai : The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation’s (MRVC) has proposed that new suburban locals be started that would connect the two ends and via Vasai, Bhiwandi, Diva and a host of smaller stations.

This route is part of MRVC’s plan for the third phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).

At present, there are only five shuttles plying on this route daily, leaving passengers fighting for breathing space. Of these, only one train connects Dahanu and Virar to Panvel. Others start from Vasai and often terminate at Diva.

There are only two lines on which mail express trains, goods trains and shuttles ply.

According to the proposal, there will be two additional lines on which only local trains will run. “Once lines dedicated to local trains are built, frequency of trains can be decided after studying the existing usage patterns,” said Dr. P C Sehgal, managing director of MRVC.

“The shuttles have only nine coaches. Almost 500 passengers are huddled in each of them during peak hours, also because the frequency is low. Local trains that will ply on dedicated tracks will have 12 coaches,” said a railway source.

The 74 km route from Virar to Panvel has 11 stops currently and takes a little over two hours to complete its journey. “The suburban trains, which use better technology as compared to shuttles, will help commuters cut travelling time by 10-20 per cent.

We also plan to have fast trains with limited stops,” the source added. However, the proposal is waiting for a nod from the State Government and Railway board.

The cost for laying both lines is likely to be around Rs 3,000 crore, while the rail works component of MUTP III is likely to cost Rs 30,000 crore. The first and second phases of the project have been partly funded by the World Bank.