Websites that provide railway schedules are aplenty, but here’s one that also offers information about the fares, distances and routes. Started early this year,
Mumbailifeline.com offers comprehensive details about Western and Central Railway lines as well as the Thane–Vashi
route.
Accuracy matters
The website is created and handled by Sumeet Mondal, a final-year computer engineering student. “Programming and designing websites is my hobby. I have tried my best to ensure accurate data on my site,” he says.
On the website, users can view the timeline of an entire train. Suppose one needs information of a certain train, he can see the exact time that the train is scheduled to halt at each station en route.
Moreover, users can view Google maps of each station and pan around nearby areas. Also, number of platforms and whether the station is a halt for fast trains or not are also listed.
A fare and distance calculator along with graphical information regarding each station is included on the website.
An interesting additional feature shows the current status of a station indicating which trains have just left and which are expected to arrive shortly.
As a special facility for mobile phone users, Mumbailifeline.com has a section that enables them to calculate and view the routes, fare and distance on their phones in an easy-to-understand format. Andheri resident Vaishali Gandhi (23), says, “Since I am not aware of the schedules, I find this website extremely helpful. Using my mobile, I can now check the train times on the go.”
Up next
Mondal is working to incorporate a lot of additional features on the site. In the coming couple of weeks he will include the Harbour line train schedule and activate an offline application for Java-enabled devices.
He plans to create a photo-gallery to feature pictures that capture the essence of the city’s lifeline.
Users will be invited to submit their photographs and comment on them. Being a self-confessed foodie, he will further add a ‘food page’, where users can list their favourite eateries close to stations and write about them.