Commuters Protest at Virar Station Over New AC Local Train Schedule
Commuters stage ‘rail roko’ at Virar station to protest against back-to-back AC locals
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Commuters at Virar railway station in Mumbai staged a 'rail roko' protest against the introduction of back-to-back air-conditioned local trains, which they argue is unaffordable for many. The protest disrupted services for about 10-12 minutes, highlighting concerns over overcrowding and fare increases.
- 01Protest against new AC local train schedule at Virar station in Mumbai.
- 02Commuters argue that the change forces them to use pricier AC services.
- 03The protest caused delays in suburban train services for 10-12 minutes.
- 04Railway officials claim demand for AC locals is increasing.
- 05Passenger associations call for better consultation before service changes.
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On Monday morning, a protest erupted at Virar railway station in Mumbai as 15-20 commuters staged a 'rail roko' against the Western Railway's decision to replace the popular 8:28 am Virar-Churchgate local with an air-conditioned (AC) service starting May 1. The protest began just before the train's scheduled departure, with passengers blocking the tracks and chanting against the railway administration for nearly 10-12 minutes, causing significant delays during peak hours. Commuters expressed frustration over the rising costs of AC locals, arguing that the change would force middle-class passengers to pay higher fares. A memorandum submitted to railway authorities highlighted concerns about overcrowding on non-AC trains due to the removal of regular services. While railway officials condemned the protest as illegal, they acknowledged a growing demand for AC locals, with ridership increasing from 1,954 in 2020 to 63,607 in 2023. Passenger associations emphasized the need for thoughtful implementation of new services, advocating for consultation with commuters before changes are made.
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The protest underscores the financial strain on middle-class commuters due to rising train fares and potential overcrowding on non-AC services.
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