Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will rise 34 new air-conditioned services virtually on the main line of the Central Train (CR) as soon as he dedicated the fifth and sixth line between Thane and Diva on February 18.
Logging services by PM are seen as a significant political step considering the local body selection, including for BMC, scheduled for several months.
Deputy Minister of Chief Ajit Pawar is expected to attend the event in Thane while the Chairperson of the Minister of Uddhav Thackeray is likely to miss because he is still recovering.
CR is currently running 10 services on the main route and 32 in the port.
“Line of 9.4 km long Thaye-Diva 5th and the 6th assigned on February 8.
This will increase the carrying capacity that allows the train to introduce 36 new services, including 34 air conditioners and 2 non-AC services,” said CR official.
With this, the number of air conditioning services on the main route will increase to 44.
This additional service is probably mainly because Cr has decided to use AC Rakes from the main line.
As a result, the number of air conditioning services at the port line will drop to 16 of the 32 available.
“The total service amount on CR, including the main route, port, trans-port and the third port, will increase to 1,810,” said CR official.
Even though the AC service has a bad patronage, Cr hopes that the upgraded frequency will attract more passengers.
The AC train has a capacity of 5,964 – 1,028 seats and 4,936 standes.
In February, the average per day of passengers on the air conditioner on CR ranged from 2,500 to 3,500 on Cr.
WR Fare is relatively better because passengers are around 10,000 to 12,000 per day.
The minister of the train has given the principle approval to revise a single travel ticket rate for the AC train.
However, season ticket rates, it will likely remain unchanged even though the official announcement in this case is delayed.