CST mishap Train to become 2nd rake with modified seats

Only 14 days after the motor guard reversed a train over the bumper of platform number 5 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the same train will be converted to Central Railway’s (CR) second rake with modified seats as per the two-by-two formula.

The infamous rake will be sent to Periodic Overhaul (POH) in January, an 18-month checking of every small part of the train.

CR officials said that nothing is wrong with the train itself but if something untoward were to happen again, it would be damning for the already not-so-favorable image of the railway. “Just imagine if the same train rams some other wall or injures a trespasser, it will get an image of being jinxed and commuters will protest,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

On December 8, CR had received a lot of flak after a motor guard, instead of motor man, reversed the train at CST at around 2.28 am, jumping the bumper at the CST end of the platform. The train is currently still running on the line and is scheduled to come to Matunga workshop for POH. “There is some hesitation with some officers not too happy about converting coaches of the same train to Metro seating or removing seats near the door as they fear it will be a PR nightmare,” the official added.

The second rake is likely to have two-by-two seating since the ones to be launched on Christmas day are not to have this system.