Central Railway to run trial of 12-coach train today

The Central Railway (CR) will run a test-trial of a 12-coach train around 1 am on Wednesday morning, after officials realised that Vadala Road station’s platform number 1 is not long enough to accommodate the increased number of coaches.

The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) had undertaken the work of the platform extension but CR officials have said that the required length has not been met yet. “Vadala’s platform number 1 which, sees trains towards Panvel side is 262 metres long but we require 280 metres to accommodate all the coaches. The problem caused by the short platform is that the motorman will not be able to see the signal,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

Elaborating on the problems, the officer explained, “For example if a signal pole of over eight feet is at a distance of five-metres from you, one will have to duck and keep checking it, but if it is at least seven-metres away then you can look at it without any issue,” added the officer.

This has further delayed the CR’s plan to induct at least one 12-coach train into the services by Thursday (April 20).

When asked MRVC chief managing director, Prabhat Sahai refused to comment on the matter. CR officials have also claimed that the safety certificates from the MRVC too have yet to be issued. “The MRVC have increased the length of the platform from CST to Mankhurd and Andheri to accommodate the 12-coach trains. According to the standard operating procedure, their engineering department issues a safety certificate once the work is done, but we are to yet receive it,” said an official.