Western Railways puts commuters off the track

Despite increase in suburban services, peak-hour travel remains difficult

The Human Rights Day (December 10) might see largescale protests by rail commuters on the Borivli-Virar section of the Western Railways (WR).

The protest, being organised by a group of 50 organisations from the area, have been planned against inhuman travelling condition, overcrowding reaching a density of 16-20 person per sq mt during rush hour, and lack of public amenities.

Interestingly, such pathetic situation exists despite the fact that the Western Railway has almost doubled its capacity in the stretch in the past one and a half decade.

In 1991, there were only 166 services which now have increased to 248 services. Moreover, the stretch is being served by 12-coach rakes, while in 1991, there were 154 services with 9-coach rakes and only 12 services with 12-coach rakes.

Taking 9-coach trains as the base for calculation, this suggests that the capacity has registered an increase of over 94 per cent from 170 in 1991 to 330 in 2005.

At present, the Western Railways runs 1,007 services each day with its 31 12-coach rakes and 33 nine-coach rakes. Beyond Borivli, there are 248 services, accounting for one fourth of the total, catering to Virar (210), Vasai (6) and Bhayander (32). In 1991, services provided to Virar section was making 19 per cent of the total then.

In the first phase of the World Bank-funded project for improving train services has stipulated Rs 440 crore for doubling of tracks between Borivli and Virar to be completed by 2007. However, nearly 167 families living in Dahisar slums is hampering the work.

Earlier, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had fixed October 31 as the last day for removing the slums. But nothing has been done so far. Now MMRDA claims that it will rehabilitate the slums by the year end. The railway has already spent Rs 302 crore on laying extra tracks between Virar and Vasai Road.

Further work on the section is in progress. The suburban services on Western Railways carry 30 lakh passengers per day, of which 7.5 lakh passengers are carried on the Dahisar-Virar section. Annually, the Western Railways from its suburban services gets Rs 425 crore, though it expends nearly Rs 400 crore.

Will the protests and agitations result in more services on the section?

"The issue cannot be solved by adding a few services as it has already reached a saturation point on the Borivli-Virar section. Unless we have more tracks we cannot increase the services," said Shailendra Kumar, chief public relations officer, Western Railways.

It seems that the city with its burgeoning population cannot just rely on the railways as its backbone. Alternative ways of transportation has to be put in place for a happy commute.