By Apurva Bhatt

 

The Bombardier rakes which was meant to increase more services in Mumbai suburban rail network has passed the crucial approval test of Commissioner of Rail Safety, but with the rider. The rakes which can run up to a speed of 120kmph will not exceed the speed limit of 70 kmph on the slow corridor, and 80 kmph on the fast track between Churchgate and Dahanu.

Under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (II), Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) had placed orders for 72 rakes with electrical technology from Bombardier Transportation. Sources say, Western Railway (WR) which is the recipient to run the first rake this year is in dilemma, “We had planned all our services keeping in mind the 120kmph speed run. However, with this new condition on speed limit we are in a slight problem, as we cannot fit in the speed limit because of our tight schedule,” says a senior WR official on condition of anonymity.

Another official said, "We may have do a rethink on using the rakes with these pre-conditions." WR is already facing major punctuality issues and has taken steps to improve the yard at Borivli and Andheri to resolve the problem. It has also refrained from introducing any new services because the system is totally saturated with no margin to recover the lost time due to any disruption.