The seventh meeting of Coalition for Safe Rail Travel (CSRT) was held at Moneylife Knowledge Centre, Moneylife Foundation in Dadar (W). There were around 20-23 activists from various passenger organisations present at the meeting. Here are the important discussions that took place…
Cyclic Time Table for Mumbai Suburban Railways
Yogesh Sapkale mentioned that things not moved over the past month as per the plan of arranging an open debate on Cyclic Time Table. Although Sampath Shetty collected documents related with Cyclic Time Table from Dipak Gandhi, Chairman of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers’ Association, he could not submit the same at Moneylife Foundation. Even the volunteers, who promised help, did not turn up.
Mr Gandhi shared the news about a survey carried out by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corp (MRVC). The study of suburban card ticket sales during 2010 and 2012, on both Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (WR) reveals that 44% or almost half the suburban commuters travel less than 20km a day a distance equivalent to the Churchgate-Vile Parle stretch on WR. Another 35% limit their journey under 40km or, say, CST to Mumbra on the CR. Just a fraction or 12% of the commuters travel 41km to 60km a day the distance between Churchgate and Virar on WR, or CST and Ambernath on CR.
Mr Gandhi said, this survey confirms our grievance that the existing suburban timetables are not suitable to today’s traffic needs. When Mumbai is rapidly shifting to the North, suburban time tables are designed mainly to serve southbound traffic to CST and Churchgate.
After discussions, it was decided to meet MRVC chairman and General Manager with our proposal to improve safety by implementing Cyclic Time Table on the suburban railways.
Ratanlal Purohit said he will co-ordinate in arranging a meeting between Dipak Gandhi and MRVC chairman. Sudhakar Malpe said he would also meet the GM of MRVC. Both the meetings would be arranged on or before 10th July.
Mr Purohit also said, he will co-ordinate in arranging a meeting between Sudhir Badami, Jagdeep Desai with Narayan Rangaraj and by Milind Sohoni, both from IIT-B. AV Shenoy also agreed to co-ordinate with Mr Desai and others for the meeting.
It was decided to postpone the open debate on Cyclic Time Table.
Madhav Bhide, who attended the meeting for the first time also gave some of his ideas on Mumbai railway.
Closed boundary walls
Gaurang Damani shared the updates on closed boundary walls. He said five more gaps between CST to Thane section have been closed. On Harbour line he was able to get in touch with Railway in-charge at BPT and would pursue the matter with him. He also received replies from WR on the boundary walls and would share the details through updates on Facebook page.
Felicitation of Samir Zaveri…
Samir Zaveri, who emerged as one of the five finalists in Mumbai Mirror’s “Mumbai Heroes” campaign was felicitated during the meeting. Advocate and former national cycling champion Bapoo M Malcolm, presented a bouquet of flowers while Mr Sapkale, the coordinator of CSRT gave a memento to Mr Zaveri for his achievements.
In his reply, Mr Zaveri shares news that the CBI, which is probing the fake bail bond scam at Kurla station, has added IPC Section 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant) in its charge sheet against the 12 RPF personnel. He said as per the provision of IPC Section 409, a government servant is liable to be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and also liable to fine.
