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.