AC local train likely to get faster from November 1

Mumbai: The speed of the air-conditioned (AC) local train is likely to be increased from 70 kmph to 90 kmph from November 1, said a Western Railway (WR) source.

The Railway Board has given an approval for the same. The Asian Age has accessed a copy of the letter, which is addressed to A.K. Gupta, general manager of WR by the Railway Board, regarding the matter. The WR has already announced that the AC train will halt at all the stations between Churchgate and Mumbai Central from November 1.

The WR is already operating non-AC suburban services at 90 kmph on the Mumbai Central-Borivali section.

A WR official said that the speed increase would help to cover the time lost due to new halts at seven stations. The closing of the AC local train’s doors takes 45 to 60 seconds. The speed of the train is expected to reduce the journey time between Churchgate and Virar by up to five minutes.

The WR wrote a letter the to Railway Board in June 2018 seeking its approval to increase of the speed of the AC local train between Mumbai Central and Borivali from 70 kmph to 90 kmph. The Railway Board replied to the WR’s letter on October 18, giving its approval.  

WR’s chief public relations officer, Ravinder Bhakar, said, “The speed of the AC local will be increased shortly. It will reduce the journey time. In addition to this, the increase in the speed of the AC service will help us adjust to the new halts.”

The AC local will halt at Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Dahisar, Mira Road, Naigaon and Nalasopara stations from November 1.

At present, the AC services are operated five days a week, while they are suspended for maintenance work on the remaining two days.