Instant death awaits rooftop Romeos in Mumbai trains

The sight of people, especially youngsters, clambering to a train’s roof to travel may finally stop.

The ambitious electricity conversion and upgradation of the Western Railway lines will mean instant death for rooftop commuters. The Western Railway has finally begun the process of converting the 90-year-old 1,500 volt direct current system to 25,000 kv alternating current.

This will not only mean faster trains, a powerful electric network but also a dangerous system for “rooftop Romeos”.

WR authorities said the conversion of Overhead Equipment, traction and rakes to the AC system has begun. The WR has issued a notice warning the commuters of the change.

“There are a few technicalities left. The lightning arrestors installed on the old masts have to be removed but they cannot be uninstalled untill the monsoon is over,” a divisional official said.
“It will be done simultaneously in two parts, first between Borivli and Vile Parle and then between Vile Parle and Churchgate. The stretch between Borivli and Virar is already complete,” he added.

The new 25,000 kv power mode is 17 times stronger than the old one and all those within 2 metres of the overhead wires will be instantly pulled towards the wires due to its magnetic field. The railways has installed protective iron barriers on its bridges from Churchgate to Virar so that commuters on the bridges are not affected.

The only glitch is the Harbour line section between Andheri and King’s Circle where new trains would be required for the upgraded system. The Central Railway has begun to induct dual current trains for faster conversion. WR officials said the figures of rooftop travellers have dipped because of sustained campaign, counselling and fines.

“There are announcements and awareness stickers pasted in the joint of two compartments from where people climb the roof,” an official said.