18 May,2011 07:18 AM IST | | Prachi Tyagi
Irked by the authorities' habit of turning a deaf ear to their numerous complaints, railway passengers commuting on the Dahanu-Virar-Borivli line have joined forces to demand appropriate action in response to their grievances.
Under the aegis of former railway minister Ram Naik, these vexed passengers have banded together under the banner of the Dahanu-Virar-Borivali Rail Pravasi Parishad.
The authorities have been drawing flak from the commuters for not having introduced any one of the 106 new trains in the Dahanu-Virar-Borivli sector.
These trains have been plying since April 14. "The trains that have been introduced run from Churchgate to stations like Andheri and Bandra.
Not a single one of the new trains is running on the lines that lead to Bhayander, Vasai or Virar. We want the government to stop the step-motherly treatment that is meted out to us, and introduce new trains on these lines too," said a member of the parishad.
Commuters speak
The members of the parishad are also put off by the deplorable condition of the railway stations in the Dahanu-Virar-Borivli line, most of which are equipped with single ticket windows and single foot over bridges.
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"The height of the platforms in these stations is less than that of the trains by a good two feet.
This makes it very difficult for elderly passengers to board the trains. It is hazardous for passengers who, in a hurry, may fall and slip onto the train tracks.
Even though we sent a number of letters and registered our complaints repeatedly, no action has been taken to address them," said Anshul Agarwal, a commuter.
"Trains on this sector are few and far between.
Frequent mega blocks on these lines fill us with utter despair, as the railways is our only means of accessing the central and southern sections of the city. We are not connected to the rest of the city through an adequately developed road network.
We need the government to look into our grievances, and take immediate action," said Hrishikesh Mukherjee, a railway passenger who regularly commutes from Nalasopara.
POA
The body has also placed forward their demand for the authorities to install certain basic public amenities on all stations, such as fans, lights, drinking water, and urinals.
The members of the parishad have been asked for their feedback and suggestions, all of which will be considered before a charter of demands is drawn up by the body.
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"We are going to draft a charter of demands, and present it to the Ministry of Railways. If our demands are not met, we will launch an andolan," said Kedarnath Mhatre, head of public relations.
Carter of demands
The demands to be put forward by the Dahanu-Virar-Borivali Rail Pravasi Parishad include:
- Commencement of direct trains on the Dahanu-Churchgate line
- Completion of the construction of the carshed and yard in Virar by June 30, 2011
- Increase in the number of Churchgate-bound trains from Bhayandar, Vasai Road and Virar
- Upgradation of all nine-coach trains to 12-coach ones
- Introduction of a new railway line connecting Dahanu and Thane
- Increase in the number of trains on the Dahanu-Panvel line
- Prompt completion of the Virar flyover (West-East), and construction of similar flyovers at Naigaon, Safale and Vangaon
- Installation of an adequate number of ticket counters, coupon machines, water huts, cleaning rooms, benches and fans at each station
- Levelling the height of the platforms to that of the trains
- Evacuation of beggars, hawkers and pick-pockets from the platforms and trains
