RAILWAY SAMACHAR

Western Railway blames new-age trains for delays in pending projects

MUMBAI : Western Railway (WR) general manager Ravindra Nath Verma on Tuesday blamed new-age local trains for delays in completion of all pending projects and worsening punctuality.

“Initially, there were major problems with the new-age local trains acquired under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project. The trains used to stop suddenly in the middle of their journey. We told the company involved that it was a national shame for trains to stop like this as it had never happened in our 150 years’ history. The problem was subsequently solved. This, however, led to a delay in projects and collapsed the entire planning,” Verma said.

When asked about punctuality, he blamed the new trains and the motormen issue. He also said that the upgradation of power supply near Borivli led to initial technical problems.

On the bright side, he said that 45 existing nine-car services will soon be converted into 12-car ones. Of these, 21 will be Borivli, 19 Andheri, three Bandra and two Malad services. With this, WR will be able to carry 2 lakh passengers more.

He did not give specific deadlines for any pending projects, like the opening of the Virar-Dahanu line for suburban traffic, upgradation of power or introduction of any new services.

Asked about plying suburban trains to Dahanu, Verma said that there weren’t enough trains and that it can be done only by next year. Speaking on the upgradation of power supply, he said that the WR will try and complete the same by June 2011, but there were several factors. The harbour line on Central Railway, too, would have to upgrade its power supply.

Speaking on trespassing, he said that WR had proposed two flyovers between Goregaon and Jogeshwari stations so that three of the five level-crossings can be closed. He said the WR had recently provided eight foot over-bridges and nine more had been sanctioned. He also said that work for raising the level of platforms had been completed at 21 platforms while it is in progress at nine platforms.

Discussing 15-car rakes, which will come up to Churchgate by January-end, WR officials said they are looking at getting the trains to halt at all stations between the terminus and Mumbai Central. They are looking at extending platforms at stations where the yard need not be remodelled. In the stretch, there is a problem only at Charni Road station.

He also said that the railways were studying an elevated corridor over the existing rail network.