First BG AC EMU on Mumbai suburban section from Dec 25

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The long awaited dream of the nation especially of Mumbaikars for ‘Cool Travelling’ in ‘Air Conditioned local train’ is going to be a pleasant reality as the first Ever Broad Gauge Air-conditioned AC EMU suburban train consisting of 12-car (12 coaches) fitted with Indigenous 3-phase Propulsion system of Ms BHEL on Mumbai suburban Section of Western Railway will be introduced on Monday, December 25, 2017.

As a New Year bonanza for the country particularly for Mumbaikars, this first Air Conditioned local train will depart on its historical introductory from Borivali station at 10.30 am and reach Churchgate station on December 25. After the introduction, the AC local train will be operated on the experimental basis between Churchgate & Borivali stations for a week from December 25 to December 31, 2017. From January 1, 2018, this AC local train will be operated on regular basis as per the scheduled time table between Churchgate & Virar stations, according to a PIB release.

Accordingly, from January1, 2018, total 12 services (6 services in Up & 6 services in Down direction) of  AC suburban train will be operated on weekdays only – from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays & Sundays, the rake of AC local train will not be operated for maintenance purpose.

As per the regular scheduled time table, from January 1, the services of AC local train will replace existing 12 Non AC services, so the total average number of suburban services on WR’s suburban section will remain 1,355, even after introduction of AC local train. Out of these 12 services of AC local train, 8 will run as fast local trains between Churchgate & Virar stopping only at major stations i.e. Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Bhayander & Vasai Road in both directions.

Similarly, 3 fast services will run between Churchgate & Borivali stopping at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra & Andheri stations in both directions. The remaining one service will run as slow service from Mahalaxmi to Borivali, which will stop at all intermediate stations. It has been decided that the AC EMU rake will be placed at Borivali station to start the introductory run at 10.30 am on December 25.

In this AC local train, coaches reserved for Ladies & Seats earmarked  for Senior Citizens/Divyangs are different from Standard Configuration. 1^st and 12^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked as Ladies coaches and 7 seats in 2^nd and 11^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked for Senior citizens while 10 seats in 4th and 7^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked for Divyangs. It is also decided that suitable number of RPF constables will be deployed in each coach of this train to ensure proper security. Similarly, technicians will also be deputed in the train for trouble shooting purpose, according to the PIB release.