Churchgate-Dahanu Rd direct locals not feasible at present: WR

The proposal to start direct local trains from Churchgate and Virar to Dahanu Road is not feasible at present,the Western Railway told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

The proposal to start direct local trains from Churchgate and Virar to Dahanu Road is not feasible at present,the Western Railway (WR) told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

The WR made the statement in an affidavit filed in response to a public interest litigation demanding prompt action towards starting the services. The PIL has been filed by Vasai-Virar corporator Rajkumar Chorghe before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Roshan Dalvi.

With the present resources,like availability of rakes and electric multiple units (EMU),running direct trains from Churchgate to Dahanu Road is not possible, the affidavit stated.

The affidavit was filed by P I Kurian,deputy chief operations manager of the Western Railway.

The affidavit further stated that the line between Virar and Dahanu Road is presently being used beyond its capacity,and that introducing more services will reduce time for maintenance,which could lead to accidents.

The WR provides 10 shuttle services in all from Virar to Dahanu Road and onwards to Vapi and Surat in Gujarat.

In his petition,Chorghe raised the issue of few shuttle services on the line,and claimed that commuters at times have to wait for up to six hours for trains.

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The affidavit further informed the court that WR at present has 76 EMU rakes and stated that there is a need to increase services not just beyond Virar,but also within Mumbai.

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