WR cancels AC local, but keeps commuters in dark

Mumbai: The Western Railway (WR) cancelled the AC local train scheduled to depart at 10.58 am on Friday from the Borivali station, disappointing commuters, who claimed that they had not been alerted in advance about the move. But WR DRM Sanjay Mishra told The Asian Age that the cancellation was pre-planned and that they would look into claims about the message not being communicated to passengers. WR will initiate disciplinary action in case of any lapse on the part of its officials.

Pravin Shah (68), who travels daily by this train from Borivali to Churchgate, said that he was disappointed as he had bought a monthly pass for the AC local but was still forced to travel Mr Shah said that he had reached Borivali station 10 minutes before the arrival of the AC local, which is when the announcement of its cancellation was made. “A non-AC local train had arrived on the platform, and as there was no place in the first-class coach, I was forced to travel by second class despite paying the AC charges.”

The WR spokesperson said, “Services of the AC local train were replaced with non-AC services on Friday, as the rake is under a necessary maintenance and testing schedule.  Services will be resumed on Monday.”  

DRM, Mr Mishra said, “The cancellation of the AC services was pre-planned and I don’t know why the message was not communicated to passengers? I will look into it. Accordingly, disciplinary action will be initiated,” he said.  

On whether commuters who had bought an AC ticket would be refunded their money, Mr Mishra said that there was no such provision.