Title - Ajmer pilgrims hold up train sans ACs - Mumbai - DNA

Ajmer pilgrims hold up train sans ACs
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The Bandra-Ajmer Urs train, one of the 17 special trains organised by Indian Railways for pilgrims from various metro cities on the auspicious occasion of the annual Urs of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, was held up by angry commuters at Borivli in the morning as air-conditioners were reportedly not functioning in the coaches.

Western Railway spokesperson Sharat Chandrayan said that the air-conditioners were in proper order, but no proper pre-cooling had been done, which led to the incident.

The train reached Borivli station at 8:28am and was detained there till 10am at platform four. The 17 special trains to Ajmer have been organised by the railways to facilitate participation by zaireen (pilgrims/devotees). The Bandra-Ajmer train was the one organised from Mumbai.

Commuters complained that they were sweltering in the summer heat. They also tried to complain to the officials on the train, but no one took them seriously, leading to protests at Borivli station.

Commuter associations said that the railways should be more careful about functioning ACs in trains, especially during summer. ‘‘The non-functioning ACs in coaches is a problem, as all the windows are completely blocked with glass and there is no scope of opening them,’’ said a rail passenger committee member.