Thane: Commuters feel the heat as delays hit Central Railway’s AC services

THANE: The first day of regular operations of Central Railway’s AC train between Thane and Navi Mumbai on Friday morning was marred by public ire over delays in services and cancellation of regular trips, which led to a stampede-like situation on platforms, and forced many to opt for the road to reach their destinations.
The CR administration clarified that the delays were due to unprecedented crowds that entered coaches, making it difficult for the automatic doors to operate, but passenger activists complained the railways failed to prepare itself for challenges despite a trial run the earlier day. Commuters want the regular 16 trips, converted into AC services, to be retained, and a fresh schedule for AC services.
The eight AC train trips badly affected morning peak hours as the train ran nearly 35 minutes late.
There was a sudden rush of “non-bona fide passengers” and many were hanging from the footboard, due to which the doors failed to shut, a railway official said.
As the new services were operated overlapping existing ones, general ticket passengers claimed they had no option but to board the AC train or opt for other modes of transport. “We had to travel by road, which was cumbersome and costly, as trains were late in the morning, which defeats the purpose of starting the AC train. Railways should have added services,” said Akhil Sharma, a regular commuter. Prabha Mani, an HR profession who travels from Thane to Navi Mumbai regularly, said the situation was claustrophobic at Thane, with barely any space to stand on platforms.
CR later deployed RPF personnel and ticket-checkers at various stations.