CR to start 15-car trains in 6 months

After the Western Railway, 15-car rakes could soon be a reality on the Central Railway (CR) too.

After the Western Railway, 15-car rakes could soon be a reality on the Central Railway (CR) too.

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Taking the commuters’ plight into account, the CR has set a six-month deadline to complete the infrastructural works for 15-car suburban services. “Our plan is to introduce 15-car suburban rakes on a trial basis with 10 services by October 2012,” said Vidyadhar Malegaonkar, chief public relations officer, CR.

The introduction of services depends on the completion of work, he said. “To run 15-car trains, works such as extension of platform and cover sheds, relocation of overhead structures and signal shifting will be undertaken,” said Malegaokar.

The authorities plan to ask the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) to fund the project so that the deadline can be met. “The possibility of getting the MRVC to help execute the work is being explored,” said the CPRO.

The 15-cars rakes will run on fast tracks and will halt at major stations only. Initially, only 15 services will be run between CST and Kalyan.

According to sources, the CR also plans to extend the platforms at stations such as Byculla, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Mulund and Dombivli. Stations such as CST, Dadar, Thane and Kalyan have platforms to accommodate 15-car rakes.

The CR runs around 1,275 suburban services with 9 and 12-car rakes. Of it, 785 are on the main line while the remaining are on the harbour and trans-harbour routes.

The WR introduced 15 car services between Churchgate and Virar in 2009. Currently, there are 14 services plying on the WR with 15-car rakes. Recently, it has added 2 more services and given additional halts.