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Tip 1:
ookout for ladies selling oranges in the trains. Fairly cheap,safe (because of the peel) and effective (contributed by our site visitor Suranga Date)
Tip 3: Tie up your hair, you will feel and look cool in summers
Mega Block timings for Sunday March 25
CENTRAL LINE
Kalyan and Thane: Up fast line trains leaving Kalyan from 11.25 am to 3.43 pm will be diverted on Up slow line up to Thane station and will halt at all stations between Kalyan and Thane. The trains will then be re-diverted on Up fast line.
HARBOUR LINE
Down Harbour line services to Bandra/Andheri leaving Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus from 10.48 am to 4.05 pm and Up Harbour line services towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus leaving Bandra /Andheri from 10.40 am to 3.45 pm will remain suspended.
Up Harbour line services from Panvel / Belapur/Vashi towards CST leaving Kurla from 10.43 am to 3.58 pm will run via Main line between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. These trains will not halt at Currey Road and Chinchpokli stations.
Harbour line passengers for Bandra/ Andheri are permitted to travel via Main line and Western Railway from 10 am to 6 pm on 25/03/2012.
WESTERN RAILWAY
Up slow trains will run on Up fast line between Santacruz and Mumbai Central stations from 10.35 am to 3.35 pm. These trains will not halt at Matunga Road, Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel and Mahalaxmi. Passengers can travel in opposite direction for their destinations between Bandra and Mumbai Central stations.
All 12-car slow services will take double halt at Khar Road and Mahim Junction.
Level Crossing
Gate No.19 will remain closed for road traffic during block period. Some Up and Dn services will remain cancelled.
Kalyan and Thane: Up fast line trains leaving Kalyan from 11.25 am to 3.43 pm will be diverted on Up slow line up to Thane station and will halt at all stations between Kalyan and Thane. The trains will then be re-diverted on Up fast line.
HARBOUR LINE
Down Harbour line services to Bandra/Andheri leaving Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus from 10.48 am to 4.05 pm and Up Harbour line services towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus leaving Bandra /Andheri from 10.40 am to 3.45 pm will remain suspended.
Up Harbour line services from Panvel / Belapur/Vashi towards CST leaving Kurla from 10.43 am to 3.58 pm will run via Main line between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. These trains will not halt at Currey Road and Chinchpokli stations.
Harbour line passengers for Bandra/ Andheri are permitted to travel via Main line and Western Railway from 10 am to 6 pm on 25/03/2012.
WESTERN RAILWAY
Up slow trains will run on Up fast line between Santacruz and Mumbai Central stations from 10.35 am to 3.35 pm. These trains will not halt at Matunga Road, Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel and Mahalaxmi. Passengers can travel in opposite direction for their destinations between Bandra and Mumbai Central stations.
All 12-car slow services will take double halt at Khar Road and Mahim Junction.
Level Crossing
Gate No.19 will remain closed for road traffic during block period. Some Up and Dn services will remain cancelled.
Rooftop travel kills 23-year old at Andheri
23-year old Fardeen Muraad Khan died on the spot as he climbed the rooftop of a Churchgate Virar local train on Sunday 18th March, 2012.
It must be noted that Western Railway had recently converted the power mode to a stronger 25000 Volts. This essentially means that anyone coming in contact with these powerful wires will result in horrific death.
I AGAIN URGE COMMUTERS TO STOP TRAVELLING ON ROOFTOPS OF TRAINS.
Also, if you see someone climb the rooftop, PLEASE stop the person as soon as possible and educate about the powerful wires.
On 16th March, a young boy climbed on the rooftop of a train at Elphinstone Road station and suffered 50% burns.
It must be noted that Western Railway had recently converted the power mode to a stronger 25000 Volts. This essentially means that anyone coming in contact with these powerful wires will result in horrific death.
I AGAIN URGE COMMUTERS TO STOP TRAVELLING ON ROOFTOPS OF TRAINS.
Also, if you see someone climb the rooftop, PLEASE stop the person as soon as possible and educate about the powerful wires.
On 16th March, a young boy climbed on the rooftop of a train at Elphinstone Road station and suffered 50% burns.
Sunday Mega Block Timings - March 18, 2012
CENTRAL LINE
Thane-Kalyan: Down line fast trains leaving Thane will run on slow line from 10.45 am to 2.20 pm. These trains will halt at all stations between Thane and Kalyan.
HARBOUR LINE:
Panvel-Nerul: All Up Harbour line services leaving Panvel from 10.43 am to 2.58 pm will remain suspended between Panvel and Nerul stations.All Down Harbour line services leaving Nerul from 10.26 am to 3.06 pm will remain suspended between Nerul and Panvel stations.
TRANS-HARBOUR LINE:
Panvel-Thane: All Up Panvel-Thane services leaving Panvel from 11.05 am to 2.16 pm will remain suspended between Panvel and Nerul stations.Thane-Panvel: All Down Thane-Panvel Transharbour line services leaving Nerul from 11.42 am to 2.48 pm will remain suspended between Nerul and Panvel stations.
Special local trains will run on CST – Nerul and Thane – Nerul sections during the mega block.
WESTERN LINE:
Borivali-Goregaon: Jumbo block between Borivali and
Goregaon stations from 10.35 am to 3.35 pm on both Up & Down Slow lines. Slow trains will run on fast track between Goregaon and Borivali (Platform No. 3/4/5/6/6A) stations.
Some Up & Down western line local trains will remain cancelled during the mega block period.
Information Courtesy : Public Relations Department, Central Railway & Western Railway
Railway Budget 2012 and Mumbai / Navi Mumbai
- 75 new services to be introduced
- Aim to introduce AC services between Churchgate and Virar, CST and Kalyan.
- Elevated corridor from Churchgate to Virar in Mumbai being firmed up.
- Seventy-five services to be added to suburban network.
- Suburban travel fare increased by 2 paise per km
- Conversion from DC to AC power supply completed in Mumbai's Western Railway corridor, conversion of DC to AC in Central Railway corridor to be completed in 2012-13.
- 12 car rakes in harbour lines - Mumbai / Navi Mumbai
- Elevated rail corridors from Churchgate to Virar - Mumbai
- Direct connectivity of Navi Mumbai to other parts of the country
- Starting a coaching complex and terminal in Navi Mumbai.
- Add impetus to connectivity between eastern-western corridors of Mumbai and increase connectivity between Panvel, Vashi and JNPT at Nhava Sheva.
- Elevated Rail corridor plan in Mumbai
Dinesh Trivedi's Shaayari during Rail Budget Speech
Hamaara bhi kuch hissa hai zindagi banaane ka
----
Fhaulaadi hain seene apne
Fhaulaadi hain baahein
Hum chaahein to paida kardein
Chattaanon mein raahein
----
Kandhey jhhuk gaye hain
Kamar lachak gayi hai
Bojhaa uthaa uthaa kar
Bechaari rail thak gayi hai
Rail gaadi ko nayi dawa chaahiye,
Thode paise chaahiye
Aur aap sa humsafar chaahiye
----
Manzil abhi door hai
Aur raasta mushkil
You may also like to read:
Railway budget 2012 Speech highlights - LIVE Blogging
Dinesh Trivedi's Railway Budget 2012 Speech was rather interesting with poetry and interesting proposals.
Focus of this year's rail budget:
Highlights of Railway Budget 2012-13 (Rs 2.5 Lakh Crore Budget):
You may also like to read:
Focus of this year's rail budget:
- Safety
- Consolidation
- Recongestion and capacity management
- Modernization
- Bring down operation ratio
Highlights of Railway Budget 2012-13 (Rs 2.5 Lakh Crore Budget):
- Independent railway safety authority - Rs 16842 crore plan
- Eliminate level crossings in next 5 years
- Railways must attract 10% government infrastructure spending
- Plan to modernise 19000 km; Rs 6467 crore on track modernisation
- 800 M Gauge conversion target for this year
- Propose to complete 45 new projects
- New tracks in tribal areas
- New autocars to be introduced
- Four new rail coach factories in Kerala
- Locomotive factory at Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
- 2 new manufacturing units in Kutch area in Gujarat
- 1500 EMU coaches added
- SMS and internet alerts of train status, in the next 18 months
- Disaster management advanced machinery proposed. Training centres in Bengaluru, Kharagpur and Lucknow.
- Propose to set up a specialised housekeeping body to improve standard of hygiene and cleanliness in trains and station... in the next 6 months.
- Specially designed coaches for differently-abled persons.
- Engage reputed professional agencies to handle catering. A pilot project to be initiated.
- Green toilets like bio toilets to be installed in 2500 coaches.
- Rae Bareily coach factory is ready
- Rail Khel Ratna award proposed for performers in sports... world class training to be provided
- For pilgrimages, Guru Parikrama special train - Amritsar-Patna-Nanded route
- 75 new express trains, 21 new passenger trains to be introduced
- 50 per cent concession in fare in AC classes to anaemia and sickle cell disease patients.
- Allocation of Rs 1112 crores for amenities
- Need Rs 5 Lakh crores from PM's Rail Scheme
- Propose electrification of 6500 km
- Rajdhani travel for Arjuna Award winners
- Increase in passenger fare due to rise in prices in everything; fare hasn't been hiked in 8 years. Increase in fares in Express Trains: Second Class - 2 paise per km, AC 3 tier and AC Chair Car- 10 paise per km, AC 2 tier - 15 paise per km, AC First Class - 30 paisa per km
- Independent Railway Tariff Regulatory Authorityproposed
- Suburban travel fare increased by 2 paise per km
- Rounding off of fares to avoid inconvenience. Fare of Rs 11 will become Rs 10.
- Railways will require Rs 14 lakh crore over next 10 years.
- Increase in train speeds to 160 kmph considered which can reduce travel time from New Delhi to Kolkata by 3 hours.
- Platform ticket prices increased to Rs 5.
- 75 new services to be introduced
- Aim to introduce AC services between Churchgate and Virar, CST and Kalyan.
- Elevated corridor from Churchgate to Virar in Mumbai being firmed up.
- Seventy-five services to be added to suburban network.
- Suburban travel fare increased by 2 paise per km
- Conversion from DC to AC power supply completed in Mumbai's Western Railway corridor, conversion of DC to AC in Central Railway corridor to be completed in 2012-13.
- 12 car rakes in harbour lines - Mumbai / Navi Mumbai
- Elevated rail corridors from Churchgate to Virar - Mumbai
- Direct connectivity of Navi Mumbai to other parts of the country
- Starting a coaching complex and terminal in Navi Mumbai.
- Add impetus to connectivity between eastern-western corridors of Mumbai and increase connectivity between Panvel, Vashi and JNPT at Nhava Sheva.
- Elevated Rail corridor plan in Mumbai
You may also like to read:
Dinesh Trivedi's Shaayari during Rail Budget Speech
Rail Budget posts on this site (Railway budget highlights of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012)
Mumbai Local's 17-Point Fun Wishlist for Railway Budget
Mumbai Local's 17-Point Fun Wishlist for Railway Budget
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| Need Superheroes to reach the other side! |
Railway budget 2012-2013 will be presented on 14th March 2012 (rail budget schedule). We will probably watch it live / read the highlights / tweet about it. And then we will praise / curse it for a couple of days only to forget all about it by the next week.
So, how about creating a Mumbai Local's Fun Wishlist for Rail Budget... sochne mein kya jaata hai:
- Superman and Spiderman services: For those who prefer crossing tracks over using FOBs... Reach-The-Other-Side services at a premium of course!
- Meru Trains, Mega Trains, Easy Trains... (Hire a train... get a pick-up and drop at your doorstep).
- Relispray Exits: Special exit doors for those who injured their shoulders, feet, heads, etc. in the dhakka-mukki.
- Sleeper compartments: People who love to sleep need not use other commuters' shoulders as pillows!
- Half-priced season tickets for fourth-seat occupants.
- Haath dikhao, train roko: Running late for work and you might miss the train? Just wave to make it stop for you!
- 70% discount for standees.
- Air-conditioned local trains with aroma diffusers.
- Ban on pointed heels.
- Fine on Deodorant-less travel.
- Web check-ins: For guaranteed window seats! (idea taken from a Twitter follower of this site)
- Heavy fine for those who litter: Make them pick litter for a month.
- Separate compartment for shoppers and vendors: Love to shop while travelling? Board this compartment.
- Chillam-Chilli zone: Sound-proof areas in compartments where the arguing men and women can proceed with their jhagdaas!
- Railway announcement text indicators: Scrolling text transcripts of the announcements they make at railway stations... kuch toh samjhegaa!
- Fixed table-chair arrangement for college girls who want to complete their journals while travelling.
- Expandable compartments: Compartments will automatically expand based on the commuter inflow.
How about joining us on Facebook / Twitter.
Addition to the list by Mumbaikars:
- Automatic Beep censor system in compartments as a replacement for abuses. (contributed by Deepa Nair)
Railway Budget 2012-13 Timing / Telecast Schedule
Railway Budget 2012-13 will be presented by Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. The timing of the Rail Budget presentation is 12 noon.
Here is the schedule of Railway Budget Telecast and Rail Budget News on Television Channels:
CNN IBN
NDTV India (Hindi)
12 noon: Railway Budget 2012 speech
There are speculations about increase in train travel fare. Well, considering that their hasn't been any significant fare hike in the recent years, there has been much development and compared to other means of transport (arguing rickshawallahs and cabwallahs, overpriced flights, etc.) train travel is much better, a small increase in rail fare should not disappoint the daily commuters.
Also, lesser number of new trains are expected this year. but you never know until the rail budget is read out. So let's hope for the best and travel safe.
Click here for all the Rail Budget posts on this site (Railway budget highlights of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Here is the schedule of Railway Budget Telecast and Rail Budget News on Television Channels:
DD National
10.30 am: Pre railway budget analysis - LIVE
11.00 am: Question hour - LIVE
12 noon: Union Railway Budget Presentation - LIVE
DD News
11.00 am: Rail Budget
CNBC Awaaz
11.30 am: Rail Budget Special
12 noon: Rail Budget Speech
CNBC TV 18
11.30 am: Rail Budget Speech and AnalysisCNN IBN
12 noon: Railway Budget 2012 speech
NDTV India (Hindi)
Also, lesser number of new trains are expected this year. but you never know until the rail budget is read out. So let's hope for the best and travel safe.
Stay tuned on this site / our Facebook page for updates / highlights of Railway Budget 2012-2013.
feel free to discuss the rail budget on the Twitter page of this site (for mentions, pls use @MumbaiLocals).
Click here for all the Rail Budget posts on this site (Railway budget highlights of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Have you saved 9833331111 on your phone?
Holi Special:Commuting by Mumbai local trains can be sometimes difficult during Holi when miscreants throw water balloons towards passing trains.
To help commuters, Government Railway Police (GRP) has urged people
to call up on the helpline number 9833331111 and report such nuisance.
Thanking Akshay Iyer for sharing this info.
The 4th Seat Rules
4th Seat might be a non-existent term in the first class gents compartments of Mumbai local trains. However, in the general and ladies compartments the fourth seat means a lot. Also, there are quite some unspoken, unofficial rules and fundas surrounding the famed fourth seat. Let me take you through the list:
1 - It is the fourth seat occupant who sits sideways / occupies the least seat space. If two places are already occupied and you and a 'competition' aim for those, there's a simple rule. You can't occupy the 4th seat completely leaving negligible bum space for the third seat occupant. Firstly, it leaves three people sitting uncomfortably. Secondly, it results in blocking the standee space between two benches.
2 - The fourth seat occupant has to struggle a lot as people walk through the gangway. The knees are brushed and the feet can be stamped with many heels. If you are wearing a saree, God bless you coz the saree pleats can be spoiled.
3 - The fourth seat occupant gets the least ventilation in a crowded train.
4 - The fourth seat occupant can be subjected to holding the cardboard boxes when vendors selling accessories carry out their business in the trains.
5 - When window seat, second / third seat commuter gets up, it's the 'right' of fourth seatwaala to slide inside leaving the fourth seat vacant.
No one's going to penalize you if you do not follow these unofficial rules, but unless you want to invite nasty looks and arguments and unnecessary kichkich, you rather treat this as a guide when you travel by a Mumbai local train.
PS Nothing's official about all these points. It's just and attempt to make your commute peaceful and jhagdaafree!
1 - It is the fourth seat occupant who sits sideways / occupies the least seat space. If two places are already occupied and you and a 'competition' aim for those, there's a simple rule. You can't occupy the 4th seat completely leaving negligible bum space for the third seat occupant. Firstly, it leaves three people sitting uncomfortably. Secondly, it results in blocking the standee space between two benches.
2 - The fourth seat occupant has to struggle a lot as people walk through the gangway. The knees are brushed and the feet can be stamped with many heels. If you are wearing a saree, God bless you coz the saree pleats can be spoiled.
3 - The fourth seat occupant gets the least ventilation in a crowded train.
4 - The fourth seat occupant can be subjected to holding the cardboard boxes when vendors selling accessories carry out their business in the trains.
5 - When window seat, second / third seat commuter gets up, it's the 'right' of fourth seatwaala to slide inside leaving the fourth seat vacant.
No one's going to penalize you if you do not follow these unofficial rules, but unless you want to invite nasty looks and arguments and unnecessary kichkich, you rather treat this as a guide when you travel by a Mumbai local train.
PS Nothing's official about all these points. It's just and attempt to make your commute peaceful and jhagdaafree!
Station discrimination or what?
Yesterday a Mumbai local train commuter posted about his lost bag in a train. He was wondering if and how he can get it back. Of course, I was unable to see the post instantly and could not guide him about the immediate steps to be taken. Incidentally, today's newspaper speaks about an abandoned tiffin box.
While the commuters' presence of mind is commendable, as they reported it to the helpline number immediately, the lack of facilities to handle such situations is a cause of concern.
The passengers alerted the RPF control room as soon as the train departed from Borivali station. However, a cop boarded the train only at Andheri! Apparently, bomb squads are deployed only at 'major' stations!
Imagine the fear among the commuters who spent 20 minutes thinking about the dreadful terror attacks that had stirred Mumbai in the past! It's a shame that still only few stations have bomb squads. At least one cop per station should be trained to handle such situations instantly, at least least the control room should be equipped to direct such calls to the concerned authorities without delay...
What bothers me also is the 'major stations' bit. I wonder how the railway authorities are deciding on which station is major and which isn't. Coz every single life, regardless of station, is a major life, isn't it?
While the commuters' presence of mind is commendable, as they reported it to the helpline number immediately, the lack of facilities to handle such situations is a cause of concern.
The passengers alerted the RPF control room as soon as the train departed from Borivali station. However, a cop boarded the train only at Andheri! Apparently, bomb squads are deployed only at 'major' stations!
Imagine the fear among the commuters who spent 20 minutes thinking about the dreadful terror attacks that had stirred Mumbai in the past! It's a shame that still only few stations have bomb squads. At least one cop per station should be trained to handle such situations instantly, at least least the control room should be equipped to direct such calls to the concerned authorities without delay...
What bothers me also is the 'major stations' bit. I wonder how the railway authorities are deciding on which station is major and which isn't. Coz every single life, regardless of station, is a major life, isn't it?
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