Citing commuters’ inconvenience,WR seeks review of rake design

The change in design has been suggested as WR officials feel the new design,which comprises two stainless steel rods,is likely to injure commuters during peak hours.

“During a recent visit,the apprehension over the new design was shared with ICF officials. WR has also asked ICF to reconsider changing the design back to a single rod centre pole,” said the officer.

Another senior WR official,requesting anonymity,said,“Mumbaikars have a very different style of boarding trains. As of now,they grab the single pole inside the compartment to get a seat at the earliest. There is apprehension that commuters are likely to injure themselves in the process as the new design will come in the way of their usual habit.”

Meanwhile,railway authorities are also planning to take suggestions from passenger committees to find out whether the new design is acceptable to commuters.

Sharat Chandrayan,chief public relations officer,WR,said,“There has been a discussion over the new design of the centre pole near the door. The functionality of the new design will be tested during trial runs and then a final decision will be taken.” The first stainless steel EMU rake,which can only run on alternating current,is yet to begin trials on the suburban section. The new rake has a different design of grab handles,enabling two persons to hold a handle at the same time for support.

The Mumbai suburban railways will get 72 rakes under the World Bank funded-Mumbai Urban Transport Project phase-2A. priyal.dave@expressindia.com