Showing posts with label mumbai local. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mumbai local. Show all posts
Sion Aaya, Sion Aaya... Video
The flavour of travelling by Mumbai trains captured in this video:
The flavour of travelling by Mumbai trains captured in this video
Written & Sung By: Ashok HandeThe flavour of travelling by Mumbai trains captured in this video
Produced By: Chaurang
The Mumbai Local Microcosm
Guest post by Barnaby Haszard Morris:
I’m standing on the busy Mumbai Local around noon, politely refusing repeated offers of a seat, and I’m trying to avoid this filthy body of water as it courses around me. It sits up one end of the carriage for a while, forming a shallow pool between the doors, then suddenly we hit a corner and the water’s shooting over my feet again. If I stand with my heels flat and my toes slightly raised, the water doesn’t reach over the threshold of my chappal soles each time it streams past.
I look at the shoes of the guy next to me – immaculately polished black leather, to match his expensive-looking pants and shirt – and I’m simply glad to be wearing shoes that didn’t cost me a fortune. He’s talking on a mobile phone, like a number of other guys in this carriage. Notice that I said ‘a’ mobile phone, for it is merely one of several. He has the one pressed against his right ear, then two more – which look to this Nokia user like Android phones – bundled in his left hand. The bag hoisted over his shoulder looks heavy. His glance darts between their screens, as if expecting an alert at any moment, while he talks constantly into the one against his ear.
Lots of people are talking constantly in this carriage. One group of men, clearly strangers, are debating in Hindi over whether we are going to Victoria Terminus (VT) or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) – which are of course different names for one place, the busiest railway station in the world. Another person talking constantly is this young hipster with his arm around his girl. (Yes, there are women in this carriage, but only a few.) This guy just will not stop talking into his girl’s ear. He’s jabbering on and on and ON and on without pause, an ear-to-ear grin fixed throughout. He was already talking when I got on at Vikhroli, and he’s still going by the time we reach VT/CST. The girl doesn’t seem to mind a bit. I’m guessing she’s enjoying the attention.
My hearing switches focus to the call of the latest moth-eaten wandering vendor to dart up and down the carriage. (The water doesn’t seem to bother him.) Each vendor has their own particular – and often peculiar – method of calling out their offering, and this guy keeps saying what sounds to me a lot like “black magics”, over and over again. When he goes past me, I realise that he is in fact yelling “mathematics”, unless he considers his stack of mathematical formulae books to be an extension of the dark arts. Having swept up and down the steadily less packed walkway a couple of times, he darts out the doors as they’re hauled open at the next station, presumably to sell his “black magics” to the next carriage.
Continue reading at the original post location.
I’m standing on the busy Mumbai Local around noon, politely refusing repeated offers of a seat, and I’m trying to avoid this filthy body of water as it courses around me. It sits up one end of the carriage for a while, forming a shallow pool between the doors, then suddenly we hit a corner and the water’s shooting over my feet again. If I stand with my heels flat and my toes slightly raised, the water doesn’t reach over the threshold of my chappal soles each time it streams past.
I look at the shoes of the guy next to me – immaculately polished black leather, to match his expensive-looking pants and shirt – and I’m simply glad to be wearing shoes that didn’t cost me a fortune. He’s talking on a mobile phone, like a number of other guys in this carriage. Notice that I said ‘a’ mobile phone, for it is merely one of several. He has the one pressed against his right ear, then two more – which look to this Nokia user like Android phones – bundled in his left hand. The bag hoisted over his shoulder looks heavy. His glance darts between their screens, as if expecting an alert at any moment, while he talks constantly into the one against his ear.
Lots of people are talking constantly in this carriage. One group of men, clearly strangers, are debating in Hindi over whether we are going to Victoria Terminus (VT) or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) – which are of course different names for one place, the busiest railway station in the world. Another person talking constantly is this young hipster with his arm around his girl. (Yes, there are women in this carriage, but only a few.) This guy just will not stop talking into his girl’s ear. He’s jabbering on and on and ON and on without pause, an ear-to-ear grin fixed throughout. He was already talking when I got on at Vikhroli, and he’s still going by the time we reach VT/CST. The girl doesn’t seem to mind a bit. I’m guessing she’s enjoying the attention.
My hearing switches focus to the call of the latest moth-eaten wandering vendor to dart up and down the carriage. (The water doesn’t seem to bother him.) Each vendor has their own particular – and often peculiar – method of calling out their offering, and this guy keeps saying what sounds to me a lot like “black magics”, over and over again. When he goes past me, I realise that he is in fact yelling “mathematics”, unless he considers his stack of mathematical formulae books to be an extension of the dark arts. Having swept up and down the steadily less packed walkway a couple of times, he darts out the doors as they’re hauled open at the next station, presumably to sell his “black magics” to the next carriage.
Continue reading at the original post location.
Bhajans and prayers in Mumbai trains
There are our Main Gods, Rain Gods and then there are Train Gods!
The busy Mumbai life leaves us with no time for anything... not even for prayers. So some Mumbaikars have made the local trains their temple!
Rightly so, since these trains do fulfill some of our wishes like reaching work just a few minutes late, reaching back home, staying in shape (running on FOBs, lifting luggage with one hand while streching the other hand to hold the train handle...). And what could be a better way to pray to the Almighty - utilising the long commute hours. So some local train commuters, equipped with books, pictures of Gods, bongos, manjiras and the memorised and popular bhajans, sing along in a group while occupying acertain 'fixed' area in the compartments.... every single working day!
Good, for it might please the Gods who might enable these people fulfill their small and big wishes. But what about those who are studying in the trains for their exams, thinking of an idea for the next client pitch, having a headache or catching up on the sleep the busy Mumbai life has deprived them of? Well who cares?
Now, MS Gopal aka Slogan Murugan from Mumbai managed to get us some great pictures of the bhajan routine in trains (more pics). God bless him!
Click on M S Gopal's blog for photographs and stories from the city that's always on the move.
The busy Mumbai life leaves us with no time for anything... not even for prayers. So some Mumbaikars have made the local trains their temple!
Rightly so, since these trains do fulfill some of our wishes like reaching work just a few minutes late, reaching back home, staying in shape (running on FOBs, lifting luggage with one hand while streching the other hand to hold the train handle...). And what could be a better way to pray to the Almighty - utilising the long commute hours. So some local train commuters, equipped with books, pictures of Gods, bongos, manjiras and the memorised and popular bhajans, sing along in a group while occupying acertain 'fixed' area in the compartments.... every single working day!
Good, for it might please the Gods who might enable these people fulfill their small and big wishes. But what about those who are studying in the trains for their exams, thinking of an idea for the next client pitch, having a headache or catching up on the sleep the busy Mumbai life has deprived them of? Well who cares?
Now, MS Gopal aka Slogan Murugan from Mumbai managed to get us some great pictures of the bhajan routine in trains (more pics). God bless him!
Click on M S Gopal's blog for photographs and stories from the city that's always on the move.
30 Trains delayed on Western line
My friend Deepa called me early in the morning. It took her one hour to reach Andheri station from Borivli. Btw, one hour after boarding the train!
As always, nobody in the train knew why the train was taking ages to reach Andheri. What? Did you really expect the public announcement system to keep the commuters updated in such cases!
Anyways, so as for the reason, here it is - Technical Snag.
Don't ask me what it means. For us, it only means an unexplainable reason for train delays. Apparently, a technical snag developed in a train to Churchgate at Goregaon station. Then some trains were diverted on the fast track and blah blah...
Also, as expected, what the authorities claim about 97% punctuality of the trains after 4 pm is completely different from what the commuters have to say.
What can we say, ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aise jeene ki...
As always, nobody in the train knew why the train was taking ages to reach Andheri. What? Did you really expect the public announcement system to keep the commuters updated in such cases!Anyways, so as for the reason, here it is - Technical Snag.
Don't ask me what it means. For us, it only means an unexplainable reason for train delays. Apparently, a technical snag developed in a train to Churchgate at Goregaon station. Then some trains were diverted on the fast track and blah blah...
Also, as expected, what the authorities claim about 97% punctuality of the trains after 4 pm is completely different from what the commuters have to say.
What can we say, ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aise jeene ki...
Afternoon magic - CST to Vashi
Sipping some coffee by the window, listening to music and watching cute kids playing around - welcome to Mumbai local trains during afternoons!
I took a Panvel train from CST station around 3 pm today and the long journey was a true stress-buster! I picked up a cup of coffee from one of those Cafe Coffee Day stalls at CST station (just for Rs 7), calmly walked towards the CST-starting train and was pleased to get a window seat.... aaraam se. No dhakka-mukki, no tu-tu-main-main... the train was heavenly. Slowly the train started getting occupied and before I knew there were 2 toddlers around me.
Watching them as they wanted to stand by the window and the way they were excited about traveling by the train was wonderful. A little girl, I suppose she was around 3, was elated as I asked her to sit at the window seat. She was the elder one, elegantly holding her tiny purse and calling out her little sister who was not even 2 years old. This cutie had all eyes on her with her cute expressions and all the masti. Soon someone besides me had to alight. She got to sit next to me and she held my hand as if I was known to her. Playing with the paper bag I was holding was great fun for her. The elder one by now was dozing off... the way we have our falling-asleep-head-jerk in trains! Their mom and grandmother, who wore a traditional navvari saree, were all very cool too!
And so I thoroughly enjoyed my local train trip to Vashi... after all 2 little smiling angels gave me such a sweet company!
I took a Panvel train from CST station around 3 pm today and the long journey was a true stress-buster! I picked up a cup of coffee from one of those Cafe Coffee Day stalls at CST station (just for Rs 7), calmly walked towards the CST-starting train and was pleased to get a window seat.... aaraam se. No dhakka-mukki, no tu-tu-main-main... the train was heavenly. Slowly the train started getting occupied and before I knew there were 2 toddlers around me.
Watching them as they wanted to stand by the window and the way they were excited about traveling by the train was wonderful. A little girl, I suppose she was around 3, was elated as I asked her to sit at the window seat. She was the elder one, elegantly holding her tiny purse and calling out her little sister who was not even 2 years old. This cutie had all eyes on her with her cute expressions and all the masti. Soon someone besides me had to alight. She got to sit next to me and she held my hand as if I was known to her. Playing with the paper bag I was holding was great fun for her. The elder one by now was dozing off... the way we have our falling-asleep-head-jerk in trains! Their mom and grandmother, who wore a traditional navvari saree, were all very cool too!
And so I thoroughly enjoyed my local train trip to Vashi... after all 2 little smiling angels gave me such a sweet company!
My interview at MetroTwin website!
Check out my interview as a Mumbai local train blogger out here. Thanks all of you for motivating me to keep the blog updated. Your comments, queries and suggestions mean a lot and are the life of this blog. Special thanks to Mrinal, Anup, my mom, dad, mom-in-law, Vikram and Neeraj for updating me whenever they have any train-related info.
READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE for:
- Unusual or lesser known Mumbai railway facts
- Travel advice for people visiting the city for the first time
- Items to carry with you when you travel on a Mumbai train
- My most and least favourite things about the Mumbai train system
READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE for:
- Unusual or lesser known Mumbai railway facts
- Travel advice for people visiting the city for the first time
- Items to carry with you when you travel on a Mumbai train
- My most and least favourite things about the Mumbai train system
Garib Rath Express Train derailment - updates and pics
Ever since I reduced traveling, it had been tough to update the latest about Mumbai local trains. Generally my brother and husband keep updating me as they travel.
An hour ago, my brother called up to help me update about the status of trains - that they are running very late. Since he does not access the internet from his workplace, he gave me all the info based on what he could see at Kurla station and the railway announcements. I am so very thankful to Anup for all the help (I posted the update here).
And even before I could gather more info, I came across Neeraj's tweets. I can't thank him enough for allowing me to post the updates and photos clicked by him. Guys, Neeraj has been updating the status live all this while. So here are the photos and I hope there are no casualties or any more derailments.
Image courtesy and more pics: Neeraj's photostream.
An hour ago, my brother called up to help me update about the status of trains - that they are running very late. Since he does not access the internet from his workplace, he gave me all the info based on what he could see at Kurla station and the railway announcements. I am so very thankful to Anup for all the help (I posted the update here).
And even before I could gather more info, I came across Neeraj's tweets. I can't thank him enough for allowing me to post the updates and photos clicked by him. Guys, Neeraj has been updating the status live all this while. So here are the photos and I hope there are no casualties or any more derailments.Image courtesy and more pics: Neeraj's photostream.
Why were the trains late yesterday?
Last evening (Friday, 9th April 2010), the Harbour line trains were running late by over 40 minutes. And the reason for the delay seems pretty unbelievable.
The trains were late because a Andheri to Panvel train reversed at Wadala to head towards Andheri instead of Panvel!In what is termed as a sequencing error, the motorman reversed the train after getting a signal from the cabin. It was only at King's Circle that the mistake was realised and then the train was cancelled at Mahim. On a funny note, whoever purchased a return ticket must have been surprised that his return journey would be really fast ;) Anyways, the consequence was obvious.
Dadar to Virar fast local trains time table
Planning to board a Dadar local train to Virar? Here's the Dadar-Virar time table to help you out:
Please note: All the above trains are fast locals. The 1.56 pm train is a 15-coach train.
Please note: All the above trains are fast locals. The 1.56 pm train is a 15-coach train.
Women's Day special in Mumbai local trains
Come Women's Day and I get nostalgic with a particular memory of Mumbai local trains. It was during our post graduation days. We ended up boarding a ladies special train on 8th March and were more than surprised. Why? Coz the entire train was elegantly decorated. Yes there were red / pink balloons adorning the entire train. And then there were these girls distributing sachets of Ponds blackhead removal strips. I think it might have been during the launch of the product.
Being in the train made us all feel very special. It was a beautiful sight to see all the female commuters exchanging smiles and feeling wonderful. I did not see anyone arguing that day over a seat or anything. Wow, great ambiance does work wonders!
Wondering if ladies special trains are still treated specially on these days. If you happen to board one today, do let us know. And yes, HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!
Being in the train made us all feel very special. It was a beautiful sight to see all the female commuters exchanging smiles and feeling wonderful. I did not see anyone arguing that day over a seat or anything. Wow, great ambiance does work wonders!
Wondering if ladies special trains are still treated specially on these days. If you happen to board one today, do let us know. And yes, HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!
WR prepares for future flash strikes by motormen
Flash strikes seem to have become the 'in' thing with the motormen. I don't say that their demands are unreasonable. The motormen work with great responsibility on their shoulders and they deserve the best. However, protesting at the cost of commuters' convenience is something very uncalled for. C'mon, during peak hours we travel in Mumbai local trains as if we were in hell. Standing and balancing ourselves in overcrowded trains sometimes on one foot is not a joke.
All we focus on is ensuring that we don't fall off the train.Flash strikes leave us in a place worse than hell. I'm glad that WR is taking steps to prevent us from being struck by strikes.
Boisar-Palghar trains to face block today
3rd February 2010: There will be a block on the Virar-Dahanu section today between Boisar and Palghar stations due to some track work being carried out. The timing of the block is 10.15 am to 2.45 pm on the Up line.
Kindly make your travel plans accordingly to avoid inconvenience. Do forward the information to those who travel on this route.
Info Source: The Times Of India
Kindly make your travel plans accordingly to avoid inconvenience. Do forward the information to those who travel on this route.
Info Source: The Times Of India
Thane-Panvel first fast trains time table
From 5th February 2010, two fast trains will run from Thane to Panvel and will halt only at Koparkhairane, Nerul, Belapur and Kharghar stations on the way. Here are the timings of the Thane-Panvel fast trains:
Click here for Panvel-Nerul-Thane all slow/fast trains time table.
Click here for Panvel-Thane fast trains timings.
Click here for Panvel-Nerul-Thane all slow/fast trains time table.
Click here for Panvel-Thane fast trains timings.
Motormen strike status: 26th January strike called off
Here's some respite for Mumbai local train commuters! The motormen have called off the 26th January strike after receiving assurance that their demands will be considered. Yes!!! The strike now stands cancelled!
The railways had issued an ad in the newspapers on Monday requesting the people to cooperate during the strike and had even made arrangements to ensure the safety of motormen not participating in the strike. Read about it here.
The railways had issued an ad in the newspapers on Monday requesting the people to cooperate during the strike and had even made arrangements to ensure the safety of motormen not participating in the strike. Read about it here.
15-Coach train timings from Dadar to Virar, Vasai
15-Coach local train services have started between a few stations in Mumbai. Here are the timings of the trains starting from Dadar to Andheri, Borivali, Virar and Vasai Road:
Railway Helpline Numbers (Mumbai local trains)
Railway has provided helpline numbers to ease the life of local train commuters in Mumbai.
New railway security helpline numbers for Mumbai commuters (updated July 7, 2011):
CR helpline number - 1275
WR helpline number - 1276.
The other numbers too will remain funtional.
The GRP helpline number is 98333 31111 handles calls ranging from theft and lost baggage to medical emergencies and molestation.
24x7 helpline exclusively for female commuters: 022 - 2275 5555 and 022- 6745 5555
For obscene graffiti / your mobile number put up in trains: Send an SMS to Central Railway helpline number 90044 11111, or the Western Railway helpline number 90044 77777.
CR helpline number - 1275
WR helpline number - 1276.
The other numbers too will remain funtional.The GRP helpline number is 98333 31111 handles calls ranging from theft and lost baggage to medical emergencies and molestation.
CR 24-hour helpline number / Railway Protection Force (RPF) control number 022-22620800 handles emergencies.
24x7 helpline exclusively for female commuters: 022 - 2275 5555 and 022- 6745 5555
For obscene graffiti / your mobile number put up in trains: Send an SMS to Central Railway helpline number 90044 11111, or the Western Railway helpline number 90044 77777.
The SMS feedback system is attended to everyday, but not on real time basis.
IF YOU HAVE READ THIS POST, PLEASE SAVE THE NUMBERS ON YOUR PHONES SO THAT THEY COME IN HANDY WHEN REQUIRED.
PS - Use these numbers only in case of genuine problemsIF YOU HAVE READ THIS POST, PLEASE SAVE THE NUMBERS ON YOUR PHONES SO THAT THEY COME IN HANDY WHEN REQUIRED.
Changes in Thane-Vashi-Thane train time table
Latest update:
New timetable has been introduced from February 2012: Thane Vashi Local Train Time Table 2012
Older post:
Dear commuters, last evening I noticed that there is quite some change in the Thane Vashi train time table. I need to doubly confirm the timings before updating on this site. Would suggest you keep a buffer of few minutes if you travel on this route for a couple of days.
Do let us know if you have any updates. Your contribution will help the fellow commuters. Have a nice day!
New timetable has been introduced from February 2012: Thane Vashi Local Train Time Table 2012
Older post:
Dear commuters, last evening I noticed that there is quite some change in the Thane Vashi train time table. I need to doubly confirm the timings before updating on this site. Would suggest you keep a buffer of few minutes if you travel on this route for a couple of days.
Do let us know if you have any updates. Your contribution will help the fellow commuters. Have a nice day!
Chaos at Nalasopara railway station; Police opens fire
Today (September 1), the crowd really got violent at Nallasopara station due to the delay in local train services. So much so that the police had to open fire in the air to disperse the people! After all, commuters blocked railway tracks and disrupted services (the same commuters who were annoyed by the delay now added to the delay).
Earlier, an overhead power cable had snapped near Borivali station and then followed late arrival and departure of trains. Worst, this happened at peak hours. As a result, local trains between Borivli and Virar were running late by almost half-an-hour.
Gradually, commuters at Nalasopara station started losing patience, came on the tracks and started protesting against the railways. When cops arrived, they had to face the brunt as angry commuters started pelting stones on them. Eventually, police had to lathi-charge and open fire in the air.
By the way, Western line trains were delayed even yesterday (August 31) due to a technical snag at Bhayander station.
Earlier, an overhead power cable had snapped near Borivali station and then followed late arrival and departure of trains. Worst, this happened at peak hours. As a result, local trains between Borivli and Virar were running late by almost half-an-hour.
Gradually, commuters at Nalasopara station started losing patience, came on the tracks and started protesting against the railways. When cops arrived, they had to face the brunt as angry commuters started pelting stones on them. Eventually, police had to lathi-charge and open fire in the air.
I understand commuters getting furious, I would have lost my temper too in such a situation. But pelting stones??? That was totally uncalled for. Come on guys, aren’t we making things worse? Pelting stones would only result in hurting some of us and breaking window panes of the trains. And then we’ll complain about broken windows. When we expect the railways to improve (and it is trying too), we too must behave better, shouldn’t we? THINK.
By the way, Western line trains were delayed even yesterday (August 31) due to a technical snag at Bhayander station.
Mumbai local trains - every second matters
I hop, skip and jump to get into the trains day in and day out (now you know my weight loss secret). Every single second makes so much of a difference... if I slow down a little bit, I might miss a connecting train, and then miss the next connecting train. And then get late, feel guilty the entire day and wait for another day.
Worst part is when at times to avoid any risk of missing my first train for the day, I take a rickshaw to my next halt only to get a glimpse of my second train bidding goodbye to me!
Worst part is when at times to avoid any risk of missing my first train for the day, I take a rickshaw to my next halt only to get a glimpse of my second train bidding goodbye to me!
Life and Mumbai local trains have their own ways of teaching people the importance of time.
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