It has emerged that the Ujjain Kumbh Mela has delayed the benefit of more 12-coaches for commuters on the Harbour line as these trains have been sent to run the shuttle-services between Panvel-Diva-Va
It has emerged that the Ujjain Kumbh Mela has delayed the benefit of more 12-coaches for commuters on the Harbour line as these trains have been sent to run the shuttle-services between Panvel-Diva-Vasai and Virar-Dahanu section, while the original shuttle-trains have been sent to ferry devotees.
Both the Central and Western Railway run the Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains between Panvel-Diva-Vasai and Virar-Dahanu section, but they are being used for the Kumbh Mela instead. As a result, the trains that were meant to be dismantled and added to the nine-coach trains on Harbour are now being run for the shuttle services in the extended suburbs of Mumbai.
The Kumbh will be held till May 21 and the Western Railway (WR) runs special trains for the same and uses the DEMU trains that usually run between Virar-Dahanu. It has also borrowed Central Railways (CR) DEMU between Panvel-Diva-Vasai this year.
General manager Sunil Kumar Sood confirmed that the coaches have been given to WR till Ujjain Kumbh gets over. “The state had given us a high figure for the Nashik Kumbh but we did not get as many passengers last year. This year we have similar high figures for the Ujjain Kumbh so we have to make sure there are enough trains for the devotees. Hence, the DEMU trains have been sent to WR and our local trains that were to be dismantled and added to the Harbour nine-coach are now running as shuttle services,” said Mr Sood.
