CR’s new train is here, but no new services

Mumbai, January 6 Ostensibly, this is good news for lakhs of Central Railway (CR) commuters — the first of the next generation trains has arrived. While Western Railway commuters have been using a few new services on the new rakes for a few weeks now, CR finally got its first new Siemens-made rake, which will b ready for commuters by the month-end. Five more new rakes are expected, CR officials say. Problem is, the new rakes will see no increase in services, for now at least, on the beleaguered CR.

According to Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of railway Srinivas Mudgerikar, the first rake arrived a couple of days ago. It is currently at Kurla carshed. “The rake came from Chennai. It is the first Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation rake for CR commuters and we plan to induct it by the month's end,” Mudgerikar said.

Murgerikar explained that following the derailment of six coaches of the Titwala Down local between Kurla and Vidyavihar last month, Central Railway is facing a shortage of rakes. That’s also caused some services to be reduced from 12-car rakes to nine-car ones. "We have a shortage and it cannot be filled so soon,” the public relations officer said.

Besides, despite the addition of five new rakes, there won’t be an increase in the number of rakes CR can run. That’s because CR is replacing about 20 old rakes that are too old to be repaired or not economically viable to repair or run. “The new rakes will replace those old ones. Therefore, there won't be an increase in the number of rakes. The CR has 99 rakes so far and it will remain the same,” said Mudgerikar. “There is a replacement, not any increase.”

Meanwhile, an official said on condition of anonymity that the new rake won't be ready for commuters just yet.

“It has just come and a lot of work is yet to be done. We have to start testing the equipment and the trial runs are still to be started,” the official said. The new rake will also have to undergo a bit of fitting work. Mudgerikar admitted that the route where the new rake will be pressed into service is yet to be decided.