CR commuters finally get their 15-car rakes

The much-awaited 15-car train, which has 25% more carrying capacity than 12-car trains, was inaugurated by the Central Railway at CST on Tuesday.

The much-awaited 15-car train, which has 25% more carrying capacity than 12-car trains, was inaugurated by the Central Railway at CST on Tuesday. “The 16 services of these trains every day will carry an extra 10,000 passengers daily,” said a CR spokesperson.

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Women passengers have reason to cheer, as they will get more space on these trains as two compartments of the three extra compartments have been given to women.

At 7.33pm, the packed 15-car local began its first journey from platform No 7 at CST towards Kalyan. It received a warm welcome from passengers. Railway authorities had decorated the train with flowers and garlands and every passenger was welcomed with a rose.

Members of parliament from Thane district, Sanjeev Naik, Suresh Tavare and Anand Paranjpe were present on the occasion. They travelled up to Byculla in the first class compartment with CR general manager Subodh Jain and other railway officials.

There was a mixed response from commuters to the new train. While some complained about the timings, Bhandup resident Sujit Dhuri said there should have been one more general compartment for passengers, instead of a full women’s compartment in the 15-car rake.

Some commuters were hassled with the coach positioning, which is going to change for both 12-car and 15-car trains. “Now, when a Kalyan bound 15-car train reaches the platform, the first compartment will be the women’s compartment. So, commuters will have to run helter-skelter till they get used to the new positioning of the compartments.”