Central Railways 2018 promise: Escalators at all stations, CCTVs in trains

The escalator at Kanjurmarg station opened in 2016. File Pic

By 2018-end, all suburban stations on Central Railway (CR) will have at least one escalator, wherever feasible, all gaps in station roofs will be mended, heights of 67 platforms will be raised, 25 foot overbridges (FOBs) will be built, and all 155 local trains will have CCTV cameras in every coach, with ladies coaches having the talkback facility. CR Mumbai made this promise yesterday.

"Earlier, budget constraints hampered these works, but that's not the case anymore. All passenger amenities now fall under safety (measures), and there is a budget for all these things. We have planned and expedited the work, so that they can be done simultaneously," Divisional Railway Manager S K Jain assured.

Escalator ease
"Our aim is to get an escalator installed at every suburban station of CR Mumbai, at least one pair at every station. There could be a problem at a few stations due to narrow platforms, but we will cover maximum stations," said Jain. "By March 31, 52 escalators will be in place. In fact, as early as January 26, we will be opening five new FOBs, two Emergency Medical Rooms, five lifts at three stations, and four escalators at two stations." While the Army bridge at Ambivli will be opened by month-end, the one at Currey Road and Parel-Elphinstone will open by mid-February. The one at Currey Road will also have an escalator.

Improved loos
Jain added that the problems with public toilets at stations had also been identified and studied, and that toilets at all stations would soon be functional on renewed policy norms.

Camera cover
"The biggest task is to provide CCTV cameras in all coaches of all local trains. These will be hi-end ones with face recognition ability and data storage. Every compartment will have six cameras; the ones in ladies coaches will also have the talkback facility with a guard, which can be used during emergencies," he said. A total of 11,160 cameras and 1,106 talkback machines will be installed.

Neral-Matheran bonanza
The full stretch of the Neral-Matheran line will open for the public by month-end. The line presently operates only between Aman Lodge and Matheran.

Harbour hike
Jain also promised introduction of 24 additional services on the Harbour and trans-harbour line later this month, when the date of opening of the Goregaon stretch is finalised.

67 Number of platforms to be raised this year
52 Number of escalators promised by March-end
25 Number of FOBs to be built this year

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