Direct trains from Kopar to Dahanu and Panvel a
hit
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The starting of the direct services from suburbs to Dahanu and
Panvel is benefiting several suburban commuters. Thousands who travel
from the suburbs to either Dahanu or Panvel no longer have to change
multiple trains to get from one extreme of the Western line to the
other on the Harbour line. The service has also reduced the commuting
time by almost two hours. The solo service from Dombivli to Vasai
has also been extended to Palghar.
Last Saturday, Railways introduced Dahanu Road-Vasai Road-Panvel
Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services and also extended
the Dombivli-Vasai Road service to and from Boisar. These services
were declared in the 2008-09 budget and have been approved by the
ministry of Railways. Since the services will be run along both,
the Central and Western lines, both will jointly run the MEMU train
services. The trains will stop at all the stations enroute. Earlier
suburban commuters who earlier had to travel from Panvel to Dahanu
had no choice but to change trains many times as they switched from
Western and Central lines. Commuters would take a minimum of four
to five hours for the journey. This direct service will benefit
such commuters a lot. It may be recalled that the services on this
route were to start on July 2008 but were delayed due to some reported
opposition from the Mumbai suburban passenger's association. The
members protested that if the MEMU train was started, the CR would
discontinue its DMU services from Dombivli. However, the CR has
decided to retain the early morning train from Dombivli and has
instead extended the Dombivli-Vasai trip up to Boisar and the afternoon
trip from Boisar to Diva. The service has proved to be a welcome
relief for several suburban passengers. Sandip Raut who works at
Tarapur has to visit the company factory at Taloja several times.
"Earlier I had to travel via Dadar and now with this new service
I can go directly and can save time and money without any halts,"
he says. Another commuter Ramakant Patil travelling from Palghar
said, "I travel to Khopoli and when I heard of this service I decided
try it. It was very difficult to commute from Palghar to Khopoli.
The Rs 40 for return journey from Palghar to Khopoli is also very
economical," he said.
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