Mumbai, Date 20-06-2023: Mumbai’s AC local train service has been plagued by recurring problems, with the train experiencing its third malfunction in just one month. Commuters have been left frustrated and concerned as the functional issues persist, leading to delays and safety concerns during peak hours.
The latest incident occurred on Monday when a Kalyan-CST local train witnessed an alarming overcrowding of passengers. The situation became dire when the doors of the overcrowded Kalyan local failed to close, causing further delays and inconvenience for commuters.
Even the usually reliable AC coaches have not been immune to the chaos. Desperate to reach their destinations, some passengers resorted to hanging on to the doors, exacerbating the door malfunction issue. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is struggling to cope with the overwhelming crowds in the AC local trains due to a lack of sufficient manpower.
The alarming overcrowding has also provided an opportunity for ticketless passengers to take advantage of the chaos. The rising number of fare evaders has become a significant concern, prompting the need for new strategies and increased vigilance to tackle the issue effectively.
This recent incident adds to a string of technical failures that have occurred over the past 30 days.
- On 5th June at 12:20 PM, a Virar-Churchgate local train experienced a severe technical failure.
- Prior to that, on 24th May at 7:35 AM, a Virar-Churchgate fast local witnessed an AC failure.
- Additionally, on 21st April at 7:15 AM and 8:35 AM respectively, Virar-Churchgate locals suffered from rake technical failure and AC failure.
Passengers are growing increasingly concerned about their safety and the reliability of the AC local train service. Authorities must address these recurring issues promptly to ensure the smooth operation of the AC local trains and the safety of the commuters who rely on this service every day.
The need for improved maintenance, increased manpower, and better crowd management strategies is evident. Commuters eagerly await swift action from the authorities to rectify these issues and restore confidence in the AC local train service, a lifeline for many Mumbai residents.