'Restricted timings will lead to massive crowding', says commuter bodies

As government says general public can’t ride locals during morning and evening peak hours, commuter bodies say move will only create new artificial ‘peak hours’

With the Maharashtra government allowing the general public access to local trains from February 1, various commuter bodies from across the city have criticised the decision of fixing timings, claiming that it would lead to more crowding. Some of them have also said that the timings would not be beneficial for those travelling for work.

Commuters move in and out of a train at Kandivli railway station on Friday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Speaking to mid-day, Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh said, “What is the logic behind fixing timings? This way people will crowd before the designated hours. The timings are an odd curb.” According to the government, the general public would be allowed on trains from the first local in the morning till 7 am, then from 12 pm to 4 pm and later from 9 pm till the last train.

“They should have allowed general people from 8 pm to 8 am at least. It will help a lot of commuters if the time bracket is changed. These odd timings do not suit professionals. Otherwise, we welcome the decision to open up the locals for all after 10 months,” said Suhash Gupta, Yatri Sangh Mumbai leader and member of National Railway Users Consultative Committee.

“There will be mad rush and overcrowding after 9 pm. The timings are a problem, but at least the common man can travel now,” said Mahesh Patil of Dahanu Vaitarna Pravasi Sevabhavi Sanstha. “The timings are a joke for us in Palghar, where there are no suburban trains after 9 pm. We will not be able to commute at all as it’s a three-hour journey from Palghar to Churchgate. The timings should be changed so that it is convenient for the common man,” said Himanshu Vartak, consultative committee member for Palghar station.

“They should at least have made an attempt to stagger timings of offices and then take a call on opening up local trains for all,” said Nitin Parmar, former member of Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee.

03
No. of hours it takes from Palghar to Churchgate

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!