Now, the Western Railway (WR) has decided to increase the number of 15-coach Mumbai local trains on the slow line between Andheri-Churchgate.
For this, the officials have initiated a study to assess the possibility of running 15-car trains on the route. Currently, 12-car trains operate on this route. However, three additional coaches will be able to accommodate 1200-1500 commuters during peak hours, enhancing the overall occupancy rate by 25 per cent.
It is pertinent to note that this development came days after WR authorities began assessing the slow line on the Churchgate-Virar route. The Churchgate-Virar route is presently serviced by 14 rakes comprised of 15 cars each, which are used to run 199 daily services at present.
The railway authorities are also examining the quantum of work required for this including extension of platforms and shifting of signalling and related systems. Once all this is done, railways will be able to take the plan forward.
Sources said that 15-car rakes could be introduced on the Andheri-Churchgate slow line in a phased manner – first from Andheri to Bandra or Dadar, and later, further south.
Transport experts said that the study must consider existing and proposed metro lines as well as changes in the city’s commuting patterns.
The experts further said that while Dadar is an old and important node connecting both the Central and Western lines, the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) has emerged as a major commercial and business district, and plans for capacity augmentation needed to factor in these changes.
As per reports, 15 car rakes were introduced on the Andheri-Virar slow line in June 2021, and 49 daily services of 15-car trains were added in August this year. In September 2022, capacity augmentation was done for 27 services, while in March 2022, six services were converted from 12 to 15 cars.
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