City to get 100 new-age trains

The number of new-age trains plying in Mumbai will touch 100 by July. “Getting so many trains in such a short period of time is a feat and we will apply for the Guinness Book of World Records,” said Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) managing director, PC Sehgal.

The number of new-age trains plying in Mumbai will touch 100 by July.

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“Getting so many trains in such a short period of time is a feat and we will apply for the Guinness Book of World Records,” said Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) managing director, PC Sehgal.

By the end of this week, the 1,000th violet coach will reach Mumbai from the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.

Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) are converting from 1500 volt Direct Current to 25000-volt Alternating Current traction. It will help trains run faster, thus improving punctuality.

As only the new-age trains can run on the 25000-volt AC lines, the railways are trying to get more coaches faster to start more services. In 2010-11, 552 coaches or 46 new-age trains will be brought to Mumbai as against the 444 coaches or 37 trains in 2009-10.

“When the conversion is complete, the number of new trains would increase. Both CR and WR require 3,000 coaches in the long run to provide quality service,” said a MRVC official, requesting anonymity.

In a related development, 15-coach trains will halt at Bandra station from Saturday. Under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-II, MRVC has sought permission to procure raw material for 540 coaches or 45 trains. “We have applied to the rail board for permission. We are also finalising tenders for additional 864 coaches or 72 trains separately,” added Sehgal.