CM flags off CST-Panvel local train

MUMBAI, June 29: The much awaited Panvel-CST suburban train service through the Harbour line became a reality today with Chief Minister Manohar Joshi flagging off a local at around 2 pm today.

The local service will be run on an hourly basis and a one-way ticket will cost Rs 12. The 11 kms long single-line Belapur-Panvel project took nine years to complete. Giving the credit of project to to the state and central governments, Joshi said, 8220;Even the setting up of the city railway corporation hung fire for five years, before we took a decision in five days.8221;He also asked the City and Industrial Development Corporation that no slum should be allowed to encroach on railway land.

Union Minister for State for Railways Ram Naik announced that the doubling of the Belapur-Panvel line would be undertaken on a war-footing.