Sharad Pawar: Stop AC locals in Thane, can't afford fares

MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar has quietly joined the railway commuters' agitation against running AC locals during peak hours on the Thane-Badlapur-Kalwa route, saying as people are unable to afford the heavy fare, the railway administration should withdraw these services.
"For last several days, I have been observing the plight of the commuters who are unable to afford the heavy cost of travel. In the larger interest of the passengers, the railway administration should withdraw AC locals and deploy regular trains instead. If the railway administration does not take a decision, I will knock at the doors of the railway minister," said Pawar during a recent visit to Thane, the home turf of chief minister Eknath Shinde, to take review of current situation after the change of political guard.
During his interaction with NCP workers, when local MLAs, including former housing minister Jitendra Awhad, brought the plight of commuters to Pawar's notice, the latter reacted quickly, saying it was shocking that the railway administration is imposing AC local train services on "poor people". "I will take up the matter with the railway minister. I am sure the administration will take a decision in the interest of commuters," Pawar said.
Awhad said it was unfortunate that the railway administration quietly introduced AC locals on the Thane-Kalwa belt without taking the consent of passengers, who are mostly middle-class people and labourers. He also warned of rising unease among railway commuters.
"My information is that in the recent past, more than 170 passengers died in stampedes on three stations in the Thane-Badlapur-Kalwar belt due to overcrowding on platforms. Unfortunately, the railway administration has not taken note of this problem. If there is no change, commuters will have to intensify their agitation," Awhad said.
He further pointed out that a few weeks ago, women commuters had spontaneously launched an agitation against the introduction of AC locals in the Thane-Kalwa area.
"We found that the railway administration replaced regular trains with AC locals, as a result, there was sudden drop in the number of commuters owing to heavy cost of tickets. I am sure better sense will prevail and the railway administration will take immediate steps to withdraw AC train services," Awhad said.