Fast trains to halt at Diva station from December 10

Mumbai: Finally, fast trains will stop at Diva from next weekend as part of a railway project. The project, which was delayed by over three months, is aimed at helping over 5 lakh mainline commuters.

The decision to allow fast trains to halt at the station was taken after incidents of violence by commuters erupted at the station last January due to delayed trains and lack of access to fast trains there. Over five lakh commuters travel using the station everyday and cheap housing in the suburb has led to increased migration.

The station was the scene of sheer chaos when the commuters on the station had turned violent in January of last year, as a result of delayed trains and damaged railway property worth Rs 2.5 crore.

Initially, around 24 fast trains will halt at the station and the number will only increase after a new time-table will be made in March of next year. The Central Railway (CR) had planned to begin the services in October itself but a new platform being constructed for the same was not completed. An official on the condition of anonymity said, “The finishing touches were being given by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation who finally gave their go ahead only on November 28”. The CR will conduct its own safety checks, which will be completed by the end of the next working week, the official further added.

Railway activist Lata Argade said this is a welcome decision, but a temporary fix. “We need the railways to finish up the work of the 5th and 6th line especially,” she said.

Public fury:

• The Diva riots took place on Jan 2, 2015.
• The Railway Police Force arrested 39 people that were identified via CCTV cameras.
• The riots had begun at around 8:30 am and lasted over six hours.
• The total damage to railway property amounted to Rs 2.5 crore.