Mira Bhayandar: The local Shiv Sena (Shine Faction) unit has come out in support of commuters who are protesting against the decision of the Western Railway (WR) of converting the regular 8:24 am Bhayandar to Churchgate train into an air-conditioned (AC) local.
A large number of commuters gathered at the station master’s office demanding an explanation and immediate roll back of the AC local which had replaced the regular services on 27, November. Local Sena officer bearers led by Vikram Pratap Singh interacted with commuters and noted their feedback.
“Already the services are inadequate for the far-flung suburbs leading to overcrowding and by introducing the unaffordable AC train by replacing a regular one during peak hours, the railways have made their travel more inconvenient,” said a commuter-Ganesh Shivmath.
“Sensing the sentiments of the commuters, I have corresponded with the divisional railway manager (DRM) to immediately restore the regular services failing which we will be left with no other option but to launch a protest agitation along with the commuters,” warned Shiv Sena (Shinde Camp) legislator-Pratap Sarnaik.
Meanwhile Thane MP has also written a letter to the railway minister seeking restoration of the existing Non-AC service. The fast train is popular amongst the working-class students, daily wage workers and small-time traders belonging to the middle class, as it originates from platform number three of Bhayandar railway station at 8:24 am and reaches the Churchgate railway station at 9:27 am.
While some of the commuters supported the move, most were of the opinion that the railways should have introduced the AC services on new timings instead of converting the existing pocket-friendly non-AC locals.
