Removal of another train coach irks Matheran commuters

Photo for representational purpose

Already cut short between Aman Lodge and Matheran from its original route of Neral to Matheran, the narrow-gauge railway train will now have one less second class coach. The move by Central Railway has irked commuters and residents of the hill station who said such a move during the festive season will affect crowd movement.

"Railways has taken out one second class coach from shuttle trains; so, only two coaches remain. This means that instead of 90 passengers, only 60 can now travel by second class in this train, causing inconvenience to tourists and locals. When they started the shuttle train from Aman Lodge to Matheran a few months ago, they initially had four second class bogies; at first one was removed, and now another one," said Varsha Shinde, a shop owner from Matheran.

Local Congress leaders have also taken up the issue. Manoj Khedkar, Congress leader and former Matheran town council president, said, "This will affect tourist flow to the town and also the festive season. Our delegation has handed over a petition to the station master."

CR officials said the removal of rail coaches was a temporary move and would be restored soon. Officials said data does not show much spike in ticket sales of the train during the festive season and that the removal of the coach did not affect travel patterns to the hill station.

"The coach was overdue for maintenance and was unsafe for travel; hence the coach is temporarily detached from the train. However, we will try to attach one coach as soon as possible," CR's chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar told mid-day.