Local, long-distance trains hit by delays

MUMBAI: The commuters in the city and other travellers were affected as local trains were running late and a few long-distance trains were short-terminated at Dadar in the evening due to the VIP movement in the city.

According to sources in Central Railway (CR), the Mahalaxmi Express, Mahanagari Superfast Express, MAS-CSMT Express, Howrah-Mumbai CSMT Mail and Punjab Mail were among those trains that did not arrive at CSMT as PM Narendra Modi’s event was on Platforms 17 and 18. “As Dadar is barely a few kilometres away from CSMT and an important station as well, these trains were shortterminated there,” said a CR official.

Of the total 1,810 suburban train services, CR officials claimed that barely 2 per cent were cancelled. “We ensured minimum cancellations of suburban train services by switching rail lines from slow to fast and viceversa,” said a senior CR official.

“As for delays, they were only about three minutes more than usual.” Commuters, however, said that trains were running late by 10 to 15 minutes and 18 to 20 minutes in some cases.

Cheers at every halt

At Dadar and Thane stations, people, mostly BJP supporters, were waiting with party flags, political banners and flower baskets. Modi interacted with a few selected children inside the CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat train.

Meanwhile, 20 to 23 per cent of the total 1,128 seats on the two new Vande Bharat routes have been booked for the next week. Despite the high fares, the railway authorities expect the trains to attract passengers.