The growing Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the focus of both the new suburban railway timetables that were announced earlier last week. On Central Railway (CR), it will be for the first time since the 2022 inauguration by the prime minister that the fast train platforms at Kalwa and Mumbra will be put to use and have fast train halts. On Western Railway (WR), there will be more trains to Dahanu. The area between Kalwa and Mumbra stations is also where the maximum deaths due to crowding occur. The focus has been to shift more services from Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to central and north Mumbai stations like Dadar and Parel, Thane, Kalyan, Virar and Dahanu. 

It is time Railways and passengers are on the same page and the former recognises the validity of some of the latter’s grievances. By seeking to address the same, they will reduce significant frustration and hardship.