For passengers travelling on trains coming in and going out of Mumbai, the benefits can be anything between 15-30 minutes of time saved as these trains will run on the new lines at higher speeds of 100-105 kmph from the 75-80 kmph now.
One of Central Railway's most important passenger works -- the laying of an additional 65-km line between Panvel and Roha -- is close to being opened for public service and railway officials believe the auspicious day of Gudi Padwa, March 28, would be an ideal day.The new line was inspected by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on Monday.
However the plan to commission the line on Gudi Padwa is also creating a complex situation for CR. Now all that remains is for some portions of the tracks between Panvel and Roha to be slewed, cut and reconnected in such a way that both lines can be operational. For passengers travelling on trains coming in and going out of Mumbai, the benefits can be anything between 15-30 minutes of time saved as these trains will run on the new lines at higher speeds of 100-105 kmph from the 75-80 kmph now.
However, this slewing and cutting of tracks can only be done during the weekend on March 25-26. That is complicated, agreed CR officials. "There are several special trains lined up for this weekend (March 25-26) because Mumbaikars will be travelling to their native villages, especially in the Konkan belt, for Gudi Padwa. If we take a block on these two days to get this new line operational, a vast majority of trains will have to be regulated in such a way that thousands of people will not be able to reach their villages for Gudi Padwa. That would be unacceptable to the people. Plus, it would create a lot of bad press for the railways," explained a top railway official.
Moreover, these special trains are being run on enhanced special charges which will bring in extra moolah for the railways and make its accounts books look healthier before the financial year ends on March 31. "Since the railways strives to show extra earnings at the end of every financial year, letting go of these special trains and also regulating normal trains for the last leg of work on the Panvel-Roha route would be frowned upon by the ministry," said the official.
So despite having the best intentions of opening the Panvel-Roha line on Gudi Padwa, CR officials said a date in the first week of April looks more likely.
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