Matheran likely to get an eco-friendly train

As per reports, the Railways might use the technology of a hydrogen fuel cell-based narrow-gauge locomotives in Matheran.

The Indian Railways is already planning to test a similar technology on the Kalka-Shimla line. Moreover, the railways have also been working to build a hydrogen-powered rail engine that would be able to run a passenger train in the suburban network by the end of next year.

According to a report in mid-day, a senior railway official speaking about the same stated that the expression of interest had been invited for the development of hydrogen fuel cell-based hybrid power for diesel-hydraulic locomotives running on the Kalka-Shimla section.

Meanwhile, for the convenience of the passengers using the suburban railway system in Mumbai, the railway administration has decided to resume the usage of escalators. The railways had to face the wrath of the passengers due to its closure. Currently, besides essential service personnel, certain professionals and women are allowed to travel by local trains. The general public is still not allowed to travel via local trains.

Despite this, the number of passengers has gone up to 15 lakhs. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, at least 76 sliders on the Central Railways and 52 on the Western Railways had been closed earlier, which are now to resume again.

According to sources, disabled travellers, senior citizens, pregnant women were facing a lot of difficulties while climbing the pedestrian bridge and even complained of suffocation and breathlessness. Mail-Express passengers also had to climb a pedestrian bridge to get out of the station with their luggage.