- By Deeksha Gour
- Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mumbai News: Mumbai's Western Railway is set to launch a new air-conditioned (AC) local train next month, with officials aiming for a launch on Christmas Day. The modernised train, which arrived at the Kandivli yard on Tuesday, is currently undergoing mandatory tests before it enters service.
The first AC local train in Mumbai was introduced on December 25, 2017, coinciding with Christmas celebrations. This new addition to the Western Railway network is expected to improve services, with plans for an additional 10 to 12 AC local trips. Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, this train aims to address the growing demand for more AC services among commuters.
Western Railway has seen a higher demand for AC local trains compared to Central Railway. Approximately 1.24 lakh passengers, or about 4 per cent of Western Railway's daily ridership of 31 lakh, opt for AC local trains.
The introduction of these services has proven to be financially beneficial for the railway. Currently, Western Railway operates eight AC rakes, with seven already in service. The total fleet includes 111 rakes, of which 95 are operational. This comprises 74 non-AC rakes (12-coach), 14 non-AC rakes (15-coach), and seven AC rakes. In contrast, Central Railway has only five AC rakes in service from a total fleet of 166.
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Recently, a new non-AC rake arrived at the Kalva car shed but has yet to be put into service. The addition of this new AC rake signifies Western Railway's commitment to expanding its AC services in response to passenger demand.