RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: A group of MPs met WR officials on Monday to review railway projects, where they were told that the new Oshiwara station would be operational by the end of 2013.

During the meeting with WR general manager Mahesh Kumar and other officials, the 13 MPs-including Priya Dutt, Gurudas Kamat, Hussain Dalwai and Eknath Gaikwad-made several suggestions on behalf of commuters.

"The members of parliament insisted that the WR should speed up the conversion of nine-car trains to 12-car trains and introduce more 15-car rakes," said a source. They also demanded additional ladies' compartments and asked that the elevated corridor project be expedited.

An MP sought "proper cover" on platforms, while Dalwai "pointed out that several stations were unclean and lacked proper toilets". The MPs enquired about the progress of Oshiwara railway station and were assured that it would come up within a year.