Faster trains by Feb-end

Western Railway commuters can look forward to punctual train services by March.

Western Railway commuters can look forward to punctual train services by March.

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At present, trains on the western line literally crawl across a few stretches due to speed restrictions imposed by the ongoing work. The railway authorities are in the process of shifting drainage lines and changing the points of crossover at a few stations. The work will be completed by the end of this month.

Since November last year, the railways have been carrying out micro-tunneling between Mumbai Central and Lower Parel stations to create a drainage system below the tracks. Hence, trains plying on the stretch aren’t allowed to go over 50 kmph.

Currently, the maximum speed at which old trains are run is 80 kmph, and new ones at 110 kmph. “We expect the work to complete in another 15 days. The trains can then run at higher speeds without any restriction,” said S Chandrayan, chief PRO, Western Railway.

There is a speed restriction of 20 kmph on the Nalasopara-Virar stretch where the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation is carrying out drainage work.

Also, track crossovers points are being altered at Jogeshwari, Andheri, Santacruz and Mahim stations. Currently, the crossovers are located on curves, thus affecting the speed of trains.

MRVC seeks extension
During a meeting between the officials of the World Bank and the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) on Tuesday, the latter asked for an extension for the closing date for loan disbursement to December 30, 2011.

“We haven’t yet got funds under MUTP phase-I from the state government,” said Dr PC Sehgal, managing director, MRVC.