RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: On April 15, Central Railway will introduce its second 15-car train in its fleet and from that day, the railway has decided to redesign the two rakes in such a way that all the five ladies' compartments will be put together. The railway has taken the decision to ensure better security for women on trains.At present, the five women's coaches are scattered at the front, middle and the rear end of a train. "On 15-car rakes, five coaches on the northern end will be reserved for women. If the experiment is successful, the system can be implemented in 12-car rakes in future," CR general manager Subodh Jain said. In a fifteen car train, 29% seating capacity is set aside for women. "A 15-car train has seating capacity for 2,932 passengers, including 914 for women," an official said. According to officials, by clubbing the women's coaches together, security personnel will be able to monitor the compartments better. Moreover, as all the five coaches will halt close to foot overbridges on platforms, women commuters, after alighting from trains, will be the first ones to access the FOBs; that way, they will not have to jostle for space with the rush of male passengers on the narrow staircases of FOBs, which usually exposes them to groping and molestation, officials say.

Jain said efforts were on to instal closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in ladies compartments on all trains, to keep a watch on the coaches and to preempt any untoward incident. If the trial is successful, the facility will be extended to 15-car trains. The GM also promised decent toilet facilities for women commuters at all major stations between CST and Kalyan.

CR runs 16 services with 15-car trains from CST to Kalyan. "The number of services and timetable is yet to be formalized," CR chief public relations officer V A Malegaonkar said, adding after the second 15-car train comes in, some of the 12-car services might be turned into 15-car ones.

22 new services beyond Thane

People living beyond Thane can hope for better commute with Central Railway planning to run 11 pairs of services in the belt from March 29. "We will operate 22 services between Thane-Karjat and Thane-Kasara from March 29," CR general manager S Jain said. Semi-fast services may be introduced in the Thane-Karjat belt. "The semi-fast trains will halt at Ambernath, Neral and Badlapur," CR chief PRO V A Malegaonkar said.

125th year of CST

Central Railway will organize a festival in May to mark the completion of the 125th year of CST, formerly known as Victoria Terminus. "We plan to organize an exhibition, a photo competition and a cultural festival in May. Citizens can also send across their ideas to make the occasion a grand success," CR general manager Subodh Jain said.

Shooting moolah

CR has earned Rs 44 lakh more than last year from film shoots held on its premises. While the railway was paid Rs 61.53 lakh in 2011-12, the figure has gone up to Rs 1.05 crore this year.