Artful dodger: Suresh Prabhu evades queries on Mumbai's next AC local

When will Mumbai get AC trains? "Later," said Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in a hurried response to mid-day.

"We are a two-and-a-half year old government, so give us some time. We have chalked out short and long term plans," the minister said when the same point was brought up by RPI leader and Minister Ramdas Athawale yesterday.

Also Read: Why Western Railway may end up getting Mumbai's first AC local

Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu did not give a direct answer when RPI leader Ramdas Athawale questioned him about the AC locals during the inauguration programme in Dadar. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

This comes a day after
mid-day reported that the city would not get its second AC trains for another decade (‘Next AC local: 2025'). This report revealed how the multiple glitches on the first AC rake has prompted the railway authorities decided to wait before ordering more.

Yesterday, Prabhu was in the city for the inauguration of 21 new facilities. It was during the programme at Yogi Sabhagruha opposite Dadar station that Athawale rose to make a speech and raised questions about the status of the AC local.

"There is severe vehicular traffic on road, not to forget air pollution. This is the right time for the AC local to come in but when will it start?" he asked while looking at Prabhu, who was sitting on the dias.

A few minutes later, Prabhu began his own speech. "The problems are intense and solutions had to be created 20 years ago. We are a two-and-half-year-old government and are trying our best to address all the issues," said Prabhu, not making any specific statement on the AC train.

He added that the Mumbai railway network doesn't have any scope to spread due to the presence of legal and illegal buildings along the rail lines. "The elevated rail corridors are the only answer, but they cost Rs 40,000 crore or more. We are trying our best to improve the infrastructure and train operations," he added.

The venue
Prabhu held the meeting inside the Swami Narayan Temple auditorium even though the Railways have built a special ground-plus-one building for him outside platform 6 at Dadar station. Sources said he wanted a bigger space for this event.