Second 15-car rake on CR only after June 30

The much-awaited second 15-car rake on the suburban section of the Central Railway (CR) is unlikely to be introduced before June 30.

The much-awaited second 15-car rake on the suburban section of the Central Railway (CR) is unlikely to be introduced before June 30.

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Earlier, the administration had announced that it would be run by April 15, but the lack of rake might lead to a delay.

“The rakes will be available by the end of May, after which we will make the required modifications. This could take a month,” said a senior railway official, on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

To provide more space to women commuters, the CR had announced five reserved coaches, instead of four, bunched together towards the Kalyan-end in the 15-car coach.

In the new 15-car rake, 1½ coach will be for first class women travellers, while the remaining will include second class, handicapped and pregnant women and passengers’ compartments.

After the introduction of the second 15-car rake, the coach composition of the existing 15-car rake, which is used for 16 services from CST to Kalyan daily, will be modified.

The administration has started work on installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in women’s coaches.

“The work on the CCTV cameras is in the trial stage. Once successful, they would first be installed in the ladies compartment and then the entire train,” he added.