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Mumbai News: Central Railway’s Sector-Wise Local Train Proposal Sparks Outrage Among Commuters; Officials Call It ‘Impractical’

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Mumbai: A controversial proposal by the Central Railway’s (CR) Mumbai division to overhaul the suburban railway system by segregating it into sector-wise corridors—akin to metro train operations—has ignited widespread backlash from commuters and railway officials alike.

Originally presented to the Railway Minister last year, the proposal aims to increase suburban train frequency to one every three minutes during peak hours by dividing the existing network into eight operational corridors.

These would include routes such as CSMT-Thane (slow), Thane-Kalyan (slow), Kalyan-Kasara (slow), CSMT-Kalyan (fast), CSMT-Panvel (slow), Belapur-Uran (slow), and Thane-Nerul/Vashi (slow), among others.

Although the presentation claims that this move could transform Mumbai’s local train operations, a fierce debate has erupted over the practicality of the leaked proposal.

“This proposal is unadulterated absurdity. The person who prepared it has no idea about Mumbai and has clearly never used the Mumbai suburban network as a means of transport for work,” said former General Manager of Central Railway, Subodh Jain

According to a senior CR official, who declined to be named, “The plan may look good on paper, but in reality, it’s completely impractical. It would involve mass transhipment of passengers at busy junctions like Thane and Kalyan—already under tremendous pressure.”

“Catching one train itself is a big hassle—now imagine the inconvenience of changing 3 to 4 trains in a single journey and the extra time lost at each station,” said a senior Central Railway officer.

“The crowding at transhipment stations will be unimaginable. Passengers who manage to get a seat in the first train will likely lose it in the connecting train, as those already standing will rush to board first.”

The elaborate plan (FPJ has a copy) involves running services sector-wise — with the first sector operating only between CSMT and Thane on the slow line, the second sector covering CSMT to Kalyan on the fast line, and the third sector managing operations between Thane and Kalyan on the slow corridor, as well as Kalyan to Kasara and Kalyan to Karjat.

While the presentation made by the Mumbai Division under the leadership of the then Divisional Railway Manager, Rajnish Goyal, claims that sector-wise operations could boost efficiency and frequency, even internal voices remain skeptical.

The concerns are not just logistical but also practical—crowding at transhipment points, loss of seating priority, added travel time, and passenger confusion could worsen the already strained infrastructure.

Sources within CR have hinted that the proposal may have been “deliberately leaked” this week, rekindling both internal debates and public scrutiny.

Passengers, who form the backbone of Mumbai’s lifeline, expressed their frustration across social media platforms and in interviews.

Jayant Sathe, a daily commuter from Kalyan, remarked, “Whoever designed this plan clearly doesn’t understand Mumbai’s suburban travel. Changing trains at Thane after boarding from Badlapur? That’s completely unrealistic.”

The proposal has also drawn sharp criticism online. Devesh Tiwari posted on X (formerly Twitter), “This is a stupid plan. It will create horrible bottlenecks at terminal stations. Why can’t CR reduce headway to 120 or 90 seconds during peak hours? It’s simple tech, but there’s zero willpower to implement it.”

Another internet User @warrenbhai added posted on X “Changing and crossing FOBs will be a nightmare. A lot of us catch up on sleep during the long travel. That won’t be possible anymore.”

Another commuter, Kumar Saket, called the proposal the “joke of the month,” while Bharat Soni criticized what he termed the “Reel Minister” for making hollow promises, stating:

“What’s new in promising 3-min frequency? WR already does that. CR used to run locals every 5 minutes up to Kalyan. Try giving us 15-min services up to Kasara and Karjat—that would be actual progress.”

@smartkalyan7 posted on X “Instead of this jumlabazi, build a new line between Kalyan and Borivali. Thousands waste time commuting to the western suburbs via Dadar.”

Maharashtra

Administration appeals to residents living on hills in Mumbai’s S-zone to move to safer places

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to the slum dwellers living in the hilly areas of Vikhroli and Bhandup to migrate to a safer place within the limits of the ‘S’ Zone Office. The administration has issued a warning to the slum dwellers living on the hills/slopes of the hills in Surya Nagar in Vikhroli West area, Indira Nagar in Powai, Gautam Nagar, Paspoli, Jaibhim Nagar and Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Part 1 and 2, Naradas Nagar, Govindi, Compound in Bhandup West, Khandipara, Ram Nagar, Hanuman Nagar, Hanuman Tekri, Ashok Tekri. There is a possibility of landslides due to heavy rains during the monsoon season, landslides due to the flow of water flowing from the mountains due to rain and flooding of houses due to the fear of flooding in the drains. The S Division Office has already issued precautionary instructions/notices to the dangerous buildings/shacks in the area. Therefore, as a precaution, the Municipal Corporation administration is once again appealing to the local residents of the concerned areas to move to a safer place on their own. The responsibility of the residents living there without moving will be their own. The Assistant Commissioner of ‘S’ Division is being informed that the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration will not be responsible for any accident or loss of life or property due to natural calamities.

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Maharashtra

Kurla SakiNaka pipeline repair work complete, water supply restored

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Mumbai: The repair work of BMC’s 1200 mm diameter water pipeline near the drain in Kurla Sakinaka 90 feet Tilak Nagar, Mumbai was successfully completed this morning, after which water supply has now been restored in the affected areas of Kurla. The water pipe, which is about 5 meters deep from the road surface, was completely opened and its damaged part was replaced. This pipeline was affected during excavation and after the pipeline burst, the residents of Kurla have been worried about water for two days and the water supply was completely stopped here, but now it has been restored again. Technical difficulties also arose during the excavation because on one side there was a 300 mm diameter gas pipeline of Mahanagar Gas Limited MGL and on the other side the foundation of a bridge was laid, still the engineers and staff carried out the work with utmost care and planning. Ward No. Water supply has been restored in the affected areas of 156,158,161,162,163,171,168,167,166,165,164. Water will be supplied as usual tonight, this information was given by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation today. According to BMC, there is a possibility of delay in water supply and low pressure at night, therefore, caution is required while supplying water to citizens.

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Maharashtra

Focus where the power is, victory will be ours…In the elections, Member of Parliament Dr. Shrikant Shinde gave the workers a mantra of victory

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Mumbai: In the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, focus with full force where the organization is strong. Plan at the micro level, appoint booth coordinators and strengthen the election preparations. If we work in an organized and strategic manner, victory will be ours. This message was given by Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and Parliament Ratna MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde to the workers and office bearers. MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde’s two-day Shiv Samavad tour began today from Nandarbar in Khandesh. During this, he reviewed various assembly constituencies of the district in meetings held in Nandarbar and Taloda. Addressing the meeting, he guided the workers regarding the preparations and organization for the upcoming elections. Minister Dada Bhose, MLA Amsha Padvi, MLA Chandrakant Raghuvanshi, MLA Rajendra Gavit, Shiv Sena state unit chief and former MP Anand Paranjape, Shiv Sena secretary Bhausaheb Choudhary, Shiv Sena Nandarbar Lok Sabha liaison chief and former MLA Shreesh Choudhary and other important officials were present on the occasion. MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde reviewed the Shahada and Akkalkuwa assembly constituencies in Taloda this morning. In this meeting, he directed the officials to effectively conduct the voter list revision campaign, appoint BLAs and appoint a coordinator at each of the 20 polling stations. He said that the appointment of coordinators will enable regular review of each booth. If work is done systematically at the booth level, the organization will be strong and the chances of winning the elections will also increase. MP Dr. Shinde further said that what happened in the previous elections should be left behind. All the workers and office bearers should work unitedly thinking about how to increase the strength of Shiv Sena in the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti areas. He said that there will be no alliance in the upcoming elections, the party leadership will decide on this, but the workers should work with attention at each booth. If we work with full effort and dedication, victory will be ours.

Dr. Shinde said that the strength of Shiv Sena in Nandurbar district is continuously increasing. A large section has been formed in the state that respects Shinde sahib’s leadership. As the Chief Minister, Shinde sahib implemented many welfare schemes of public interest, which the voters are aware of. This is the reason why Shiv Sena has got good public support and success in the Nagar Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections.

In the second meeting held in Nandurbar city, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde reviewed Nandurbar and Nawapur assembly constituencies. On this occasion, he said that Shinde sahib has done a lot for the common people through the “Shaan Aap Ke Darwaza” campaign. The people’s trust in his leadership is constantly increasing. This is why leaders and workers of other political parties are also eager to join Shiv Sena. MLA Dr. Shinde urged the workers to strengthen the organization and asked them to work with full loyalty and increase the strength of the party. He said that the election symbol of Shiv Sena ‘Dhanush Ban’ should reach every area. The party leadership is committed to strengthening the workers and providing them all possible support. On this occasion, MLA Chandrakant Raghuvanshi said that Shiv Sena has a good hold in Akkalkuwa and Dhargaon talukas, while special efforts are needed to further strengthen the organization in Taloda and Shahada talukas. He expressed confidence that Shiv Sena will hoist the saffron flag in the upcoming Nandarbar Zilla Parishad elections. MLA Raghuvanshi also demanded that party office bearers and corporators be given more organizational powers and responsibilities. MLA Amsha Padvi and former MLA Shreesh Chaudhary also expressed their views in the meeting.

Shinde sahib’s eye on every taluka and assembly constituency
The Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra pays special attention to every taluka and assembly constituency. This is why party leaders are constantly touring even in the scorching heat of 45 degrees. This was said by Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and MP Dr. Srikant Shinde.

He said that there is no election yet, yet Shiv Sena leaders are going from village to village to meet workers and working to strengthen the organization. Dr. Shinde said that under the leadership of Shinde sahib, there has been a big change in the way Shiv Sena works. Earlier, leaders used to go on tours, give speeches and leave, but now it is not like that. He said that now it is not just speeches but the leader himself goes to the field and works and establishes a direct dialogue with the workers. Dr. Shinde said that in the last two years, he has visited Nandarbar district four times, which shows the seriousness of the party leadership towards the organization.

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