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.