Mumbai local trains: What about us, ask commuters from distant suburbs

Himanshu Vartak, consultative committee member for Palghar station, said he has been following up on the issue and trains for those staying in distant suburbs should begin soon

Commuters staying in the far-flung suburbs who travel by main line trains like Diva-Vasai and Panvel-Vasai said that though they travel locally, their trains are not considered local trains. They are waiting for guidelines to be extended to their trains, too. A similar complaint and demand was received from commuters on the Lonavala-Pune local trains.

"Commuters from Vasai and Dahanu stay far away from their workplaces and take mainline trains to work between Diva-Vasai-Panvel. The government should include these trains, too, in the list and the railways should restore the trains as soon as possible," said Himanshu Vartak, consultative committee member for Palghar station.

He added, "We have been following up the issue and trains should begin soon. Once that happens, the same formula should be applied to these trains, too, since these run in the MMR."

Another commuter, Vilas Tulinj, said, "The railways should also restore the Lonavala-Pune locals and the state government should allow the same template here, too, though it is outside the MMR. The local trains here have several dependents, and it would be immensely beneficial." The Railways said there were instructions only for MMR and regular local trains so far and there is no development on any other type of trains.