Experiment double-decker services for local trains: HC asks Railways

Taking note of the overcrowding in local trains, the Bombay High Court on Friday asked the railways to consider starting doubledecker services for city’s suburban local lines, on a trial basis. The railways, however, said the suggestion was not feasible as it is already facing difficulties to deal with the nearly 75 lakh commuters, who use local trains on a daily basis.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Girish Kulkarni said, “Looking at the overcrowding in locals, why don’t you (railways) consider introducing double-decker services for local trains?”

The bench got an instant reply from Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, that the idea was not feasible. “We have conducted a study in the past and found this infeasible,” ASG Singh submitted.

“Let us see the report of the said study. We want to see it. Till then, consider experimenting the double-decker services, at least on a trial basis,” the bench said.

While accepting to furnish the report, ASG Singh further submitted, “The trains are overcrowded as nearly 75 lakh commuters use local trains daily. We are finding it difficult to deal with the overcrowding.”

The bench was seized with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Sameer Zaveri, highlighting the sorry state of affairs of the railways. The PIL sought a wide range of directions like increasing the height of platforms, providing emergency medical facilities at railway stations and so on.