15 September,2024 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw travelling on a Central Railway local train. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi; (right) Sharad Pawar
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The Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar has criticised the BJP and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his "irresponsible" statement about AC local trains saying that the minister was blaming their party chief Sharad Pawar as they did not want to implement it at this stage and allow other parties to take credit.
"Please understand the context. Mr Pawar never opposed the AC local trains for Mumbai as a whole. He is all about modernisation and getting the best facilities for the general public. The opposition was always to the enhanced fare structure, not the train. The fare of AC trains is more than the regular local trains, which is not acceptable by the commuters. We are representing commuters and fighting for them," said NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto.
"Ashwini Vaishnaw is the Union railway minister. If he wishes, he can implement the project. Why is he blaming Mr Pawar and giving excuses for not doing his own job? If he thinks any project is for the welfare of the people, he should go ahead and implement it," Crasto said, adding that our stand has been crystal clear.
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"The minister has taken Mr Pawar's statement out of context and it is a clear indication that they do not want to implement the project for reasons best known to him. Maybe the project is not ready or they do not want other parties who spoke for the benefit of the people to get the credit if it is implemented at this stage," Crasto said.
In his exclusive interview to mid-day, on a question about introducing AC local trains in Mumbai, Vaishnaw had said that the plan to convert Mumbai's local trains into AC fleet was ready to be implemented, but had been put on hold due to political opposition from none other like NCP leader Sharad Pawar and Mumbaikars themselves had to form an opinion, create consensus and push for its implementation.
"Last time the Railways tried to push for the implementation of AC locals, it was NCP leader Sharad Pawar who had opposed the plan tooth and nail after which the Railways put it on hold. Mumbaikars need to come together, form an opinion and get the AC locals that they want," Vaishnaw had told mid-day.
"The AC local plan is ready to unfold immediately once we get a consensus from Mumbaikars. Start an opinion poll from today and get the votes in favour of AC local trains and we will start the process of AC trains soon," he had added.
AC local trains have become a political tool since August 2022 with NCP president Sharad Pawar calling for their complete withdrawal from the city and restoration of regular services for working-class commuters.
In August 2022, after protests from commuters who illegally board local trains from Kalwa car shed and also those from Badlapur against the new AC local services led by NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, the Central Railway withdrew ten new AC services within five days of their introduction.
2022
Year Pawar had called for the complete withdrawal of AC locals
