Showing posts with label central railway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label central railway. Show all posts

TV in Mumbai local trains! What about Video-Coaches?

If you did not find the ever-increasing crowd, the swear words, the gossip, the lies and the dhakka-mukki in Mumbai local trains entertaining enough, you have now a reason to smile... or that's what the railway authorities think.

So we hear that CR will install TVs on Mumbai local trains. Yes, yes, you read it right. Guess what you will get to watch while travelling (assuming that the television stay in working condition for at least 15 days... we know about the working condition of indicators, coupon validating machines and all the electronic items railways ever installed!) - Charlie Chaplin, News, Sensex and Cricket Scores!

If this works out, should we believe that this will be the end of the 'video-coach' era (yes, we gals know about it!)? Nah, I don't think so.
After all, men will be men and railways will be railways and miscreants will be miscreants. 

Men will be men: Some men... alright most men... travelling in local trains can never stop making the women feel uncomfortable. The police constables, whenever they are present in the ladies compartments, have mastered the art of turning a blind eye when those wide-and-bulging-eyed perverts stare and pass comments on women in the adjacent compartment through the much-hated jaali-waali-khidki that 'separates' a gents' compartment from the ladies' coach. So the shows on the television screens in suburban trains will never be able to take over the 'video-coach' TRPs.


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You know you are in a Mumbai local train when...
'Maine ticket khareeda hai, main raja jaise baithunga' types
Reading indicators at Mumbai local train platforms

Railways will be railways: So when was the last time you tried to punch a coupon and were unsuccessful as the machine was out of ink or just didn't click? And when was the last time you headed to end up heading to the ticket counter for that stamp on coupon and were again unsuccessful! Either the stamps aren't there, or the date and time is incorrect! And when you look up at the train's ceiling while trying to breathe, how often do you notice nonoperational fans and thick spiderwebs? And need I mention about the indicators on the harbour line? I wonder how railways will be able to maintain these TV screens.

Miscreants will be miscreants: I appreciate the effort by railways to eliminate the obscene graffiti. But we still have people who spread rubbish in the trains and throw wrappers out of the windows. We still have people who paste those "EARN MONEY FAST" posters on paid-advertisements in trains. Stone-pelting is still an issue. Under these circumstances, we can just hope that the authorities will able to save the television screens from miscreants.

However, when it comes to the effect of these television screens on commuters, there are quite some pros and cons. But more about it later.

Central Railway gets better than WR

I stayed in western suburbs until late 2008. And on rare occasions
when I had to travel on the central line, I used to find it a bit
uncomfortable. But now I realise that it was only due to the smaller
ladies first class compartments. Minus that, after travelling on the
central line for over an year now I must admit CR is far better! The
crowd in the trains, the regular addition of services and routes and
the improvements implemented are really commendable. Check out the TOI
today (June 14, 2010) and you would know what I mean. Every few
months, additinal train services are included in the transharbour line
and I'm only glad to keep updating the train timetables on this blog!
PS sorry for the recent delay in updating timetables, but I'm
travelling around India a lot these days. Will update asap.

Central Railway mega block timings on 9th May

As on most of the Sundays, CR has announced mega block today (Sunday, May 9). Here are the timings:

Mega block from Mulund to Matunga (fast track): 11 am to 4.30 pm
Mega block from CST to Kurla: 11 am to 4.30 pm
Mega block between Wadala and Mahim stations (both ways): 11.05 am to 4.05 pm

Now use credit cards for season tickets!

Do you buy season tickets for your daily local train commute and are bored of visiting the ATM every time since you need to pay in cash? Now you have a reason to rejoice – Central Railway has started accepting all major credit cards for season tickets! Yes, there is this message board at Dadar station displaying the announcement by Central Railway. Nice relief on a day when motormen are planning to go on a hunger strike!

Central line trains running late even today

Central line trains are running late again today (as at 8:30 pm). And this time the problem appears to be somewhere near Kalyan. The authorities are announcing about some bus arrangements to help out the commuters. Don't have confirmed reports yet. If you have any info, please update here.

Thanks to Neeraj, we now know the reason for the delay. Unfortunately, a coach (or 2 coaches as per Zee News) of Mumbai-Jabalpur Garib Rath Express train derailed between Kalyan and Shahard stations on Mumbai's central line. This caused problem in the tracks due to which the trains are delayed. Repair work is in process.

As per Zee News report, no causalities have yet been reported.

Get live updates here.
Read the updated post here.

First 4 fast trains on Thane-Panvel route!

2nd February 2010: Central railway has finally introduced FAST TRAINS on the Thane-Panvel route! Yes, you are hearing it right! As promised, central railway's four fast trains will run on this route from 5th February 2010.
Stations where Thane-Panvel fast trains will halt: Thane, Koparkhairane, Nerul, Belapur, Kharghar and Panvel
Can you believe it, instead of slow trains taking an all of 55 minutes to reach from Thane to Panvel and back, the fast trains will take 48 minutes from Thane to reach Panvel and will take just 46 minutes from Panvel to Thane! Kudos to central railways!

Click here for Thane-Panvel fast trains time table.
Click here for Panvel-Thane fast trains timings.

Check out how Navi Mumbaikar's welcome the train on this blog.

Central and western railway prepare for 26th January motormen strike

LATEST STRIKE UPDATE, 25th January, 10:00 pm: The motormen strike has been called off!

25th January 2010: That the motormen of central and western line local trains will be going on strike on 26th January is confirmed. Now with just around 200 motormen working on the Republic Day, disruption of suburban train services and commuter inconvenience is obvious.

Aware of the way people / unions participating in the strike react when trains do not run as per schedule and given the fact that eventually the motormen at work face all the brunt, Central and Western railways are taking several precautionary steps.

Super slow Kurla local of 9:22 am

It took me 45 minutes to reach Parel station after I boarded the Kurla local that leaves for CST at 9:22 am (21st Dec 2009). Worst was that while our train was stationary at Kurla's platform number 3, other trains kept arriving and moving ahead from platform number 4. We stayed in the train everytime thinking that at least now it will move. Too much optimism on a Monday morning I suppose.

Kurla 9:22 local to CST running late today

And not just late, the train is moving super slow today (21st December 2009). Around 4 or more trains overtook this train as it stayed still on platform number 3 :(

Central line trains status today

Central main line trains are running 15 minutes late today - 3rd December 2009

Railway Emergency Number Really Helps

Last evening on my way back home, I took a Kurla local that left from Parel at 6:49 pm. I reached the station at the last minute and hence boarded the last second class ladies coach of the train. Fortunately, I got a place to sit as well.

But soon after the train crossed Matunga station, there was a loud thud near the door / window of the train (the east facing side). Obviously what followed was a little panic, but thankfully the women did not over react. Of course, then we all tried to find out if someone got hurt, did some miscreant throw a stone at the train etc. Thankfully, no one was hurt. No one could make out any sense, but obviously people got a bit scared. Also, the sound was too loud to resemble anything close to a stone hitting a compartment.

It made sense to inform the railway authorities about the incident. So I called up the Railway Emergency Number 222620800 that is provided in the compartments. It was not an IVR number and as always the official on the other side was very attentive.

He asked me the details when I requested him to check if some miscreants are throwing stones / if there is any other problem. I have no idea about what happened after that, but the way the official assured me that he will send someone to check the situation, I knew he will take care of it.

I thank and appreciate the official (I do not know his name) and the railway authorities for the help.

It’s not a strike? Local trains running late, NDTV website has a different story

Alright, while the other news channels and websites are talking about motormen going on strike due to various issues, NDTV says the trains are late due to a different reason. Well, if you know the truth, do let us know.
DNA
ZEE News
SamayLive
Rediff

Central Railway motormen strike update; Trains running late

Motormen strike update: Trains are currently running 20-40 minutes late (on 26th October 2009, at 4 pm).

If you have the latest update, do let us know.

Trains strike: Central Railway motormen on strike; local train services affected

Mumbai's Central Railway motormen have gone on strike today (26th October, 2009). The strike started on Monday afternoon and many trains were seen stationed between CST and Byculla stations.

As per reports, 140 trains are cancelled. Talks are in progress and apparently motormen are refusing to do overtime. As per Zee News, motormen are protesting lack of action against the guilty in the Thane bridge collapse incident wherein a pipeline fell on a moving train that led to the death of a motorman and 2 others.

There wasn’t any strike when we left for work in the morning. Now that we are already at our workplaces, the motormen decided to go on strike. Wondering if the strike continues how would the local train commuters reach home. As if the Thane train accident (23rd October, 2009) following the pipeline falling on the train was not enough to make poor commuters suffer!

Train accident between Thane and Mulund, Pipeline falls on Central line train

A water pipeline fell on a moving train between Thane and Mulund stations today (23rd October 2009). The train was moving from CST to Kalyan i.e. Central Railway's mainline. The incident happened around 10:45 am. As of now, there is news of six commuters being injured. I hope there are no casualties. The motorman (driver) and some passengers are trapped under the debris.

Obviously, train services are affected as the debris is being removed. In fact a few trains are stuck at some stations. A source tells me that there is a lot of water wastage happening due to the pipe burst and the flooding due to it is affecting the operations.

UPDATE - Kurla station is very crowded now at 6.30 pm

No trains between CST and Masjid stations on 15th and 16th August

As per the reports, one of the biggest Central Railway mega block will take place from 15th August to 16th August (night). Local trains will not run between CST and Masjid stations during these 48 hours. This major and crucial step is taken by the railway authorities only to add to the long-term convenience of the commuters.

During the mega block, a huge amount of work will be undertaken at Masjid station including increasing length of platforms for 12-coach trains, creating a seventh track and dismantling the old road over bridge.

On 15th and 16th August, local trains will run up to Byculla or Dadar. Also, Harbour line trains will run up to Wadala station.

We must appreciate that the Central Railway finally took this step and also preferred to carry out the work on a weekend to avoid inconvenience to us. First the super-effective SMS campaign, now this amazing move… Central Railway is improving a lot!

Trains, Rains and Me in Mumbai – 14th July 2009 Morning

I couldn’t sleep last night for 2 reasons. Firstly, I was completely unwell. Secondly, the sound of breeze with heavy rainfall was frightening enough to awaken Kumbhakaran from his sleep.

So for me, there was no question of sleeping until late due to the sleepy rainy climate. I got up from bed with fever and acidity but I was sure I’ll be able to make it to work... somehow I have the tendency to reach office almost on time especially when it’s pouring kutte billi.

I managed to catch my regular train from Koparkhairane, coz it was a few minutes late. Then I managed to catch a train starting from Vashi almost instantly, coz it was some 45 minutes late. And then, what I was expecting happened – the train wasn’t crowded! I knew that Navi Mumbai janta will leave late from home until they are sure that the local trains are running properly.

Getting off at Kurla and rushing to another platform for my last train in the morning too was like cakewalk – no cheekhna chillaana, no pushing on the foot-over bridge, no giddiness. But soon I faced reality when I started feeling like mayonnaise in a burger… smashed like hell in the crowded compartment. The overcrowded train appeared to prove to the tortoise that it was slower and steadier. Not to blame the motorman of our CST bound local train who was taking utmost care to ensure that the train moved smoothly as water logging had started on the tracks. I noticed people near Tilak Bridge station walking in knee-deep water (zero exaggeration) and wondered if the situation in Parel would be the same. Fortunately, I escaped water-walk at Parel and reached office just a few minutes late.

Well, so my journey to work on a bad rainy day was pleasant enough – not drenched, not very late and all. But then, the day was going too good to be true. Things aren’t that perfect always, are they? Here’s about my return trip.

Trains delayed due to wire snapping at Mulund

As per reports, local trains on Mumbai’s central line were delayed today (2 July 2009) due to an overhead wire snapping at Mulund railway station at around 5:45 in the morning. The wire snapped at Mulund station’s platform number 1 - 2. Apparently, north-bound services have been restored on the slow track, but repair work is still on.
Source: Indian Express

Central line trains are running late

Central line trains are running very late today. It seems there a problem at Mulund station is causing the delay. A friend who stays at Bhandup just told me that the platforms are so crowded that you can hardly make out anything. Ditto at Kurla… I somehow managed to get in the first class ladies compartment, only to be bashed by the rain as I had no choice but to travel at the footboard.

My friend says that slow trains haven’t arrived at Bhandup station since long. My cab driver said that trains didn’t arrive at Mulund since early morning. There was some announcement at Kurla station, but as always I couldn’t get a single word. If you have any info on this, please update on this blog and help the central railway commuters stay informed.