AC train for Western Railway or Central Railway Railways still undecided

The fate of city’s very first air-conditioned train is in limbo after it was found that it was too tall to be run on the Central Railway (CR) section. In all probability, the train — which was initially intended to be run on the Western Railway (WR) section — will be handed over back to WR, said Akhil Agrawal, general manager, CR.

Mr Agrawal said the possibility of letting the WR run the AC coach was being discussed, as the height of the train did not allow it to be run on CR.

“The height of the train is unsuitable for CR infrastructure; instead, it may be possible to run it on WR,” said Mr Agrawal.

The 12-coach train worth '54 crore was meant to be run on WR after its procurement. However, in the eleventh hour, it was decided to let CR benefit from it first.

In fact, former general manager of CR Sunil Kumar Sood had promised commuters that CR would be the first to get it. He said the train would be run on the Trans-Harbour line and it would especially benefit women and senior citizens.

“The air-conditioned train is currently experiencing some difficulty with the conductor, which will be imported. Once we get the conductor by August 31, we will be able to hold the trial in the first week of September,” added Mr Agrawal.

Mr Agrawal said that though the final decision on which section the train would be run was still pending, the priority was to start the trials.

“We have not got a final word from Delhi, but our first concern is that we should be able to run the train and the decision will be taken accordingly,” said Mr Agrawal.

Railway officials who did not want to be named said the railway had not considered the nuances of Mumbai suburban infrastructure before procuring the train.

“Mumbai has many rail overbridges that are low. This should have been considered before placing the order. Officials did not realise that if the train is too high, it is useless,” said an official, on condition of anonymity.