There is good news for the 37 lakh travelling on the Western Railway. From November 1, the rail authorities will not only be adding 10 new services but will also extend 42 services. Not just this, the air-conditioned local will be given 7 additional halts and there shall be more trains on the Virar-Dahanu stretch. This will take the total number of train services to 1,365 that is operated daily by WR.
These sops are part of the new rail timetable that will come into effect from November 1. Sources said that of the 42 services which shall be extended; 40 services will be extension of trains all the way till Goregaon on the Harbour line from the current halt at Andheri. This will give a great boost to those travelling right from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Apart from this, of the 10 new services added in the system, four of these services will be operating on the Virar-Dahanu route which is used by nearly 90000 commuters everyday. The remaining six services will be operational on the Churchgate-Borivali/Virar route.
"We are also extending trains like the ladies special to Bhayandar, all the way till Virar, to and fro. This will surely help the women commuters during peak hours," said a WR official on condition of anonymity.
Also importantly, in a bid to improve use of AC local, the WR will give halts at 7 more stations namely; Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Dahisar, Mira Road, Naigaon and Nallasopara. This will also attract more people namely the business community who go to Khetwadi, Kalbadevi, Lamington Road, Bhuleshwar etc.
To improve the speeds and punctuality of trains, those running on the fast line towards Borivali and Virar from Churchgate in the morning peak hours; will not give halt between Churchgate and Mumbai Central. This is being done so that the trains reach Borivali and Virar faster to ferry more commuters from the northern suburbs.
OTHER PERKS
- In a bid to improve use of the AC local, WR will give halts at seven more stations
- Ladies Special trains to Bhayander will be extended to Virar to help peak hour rush
