Mumbai Suburban Railway

Infobox Public transit
name = Mumbai Suburban Railway

The Mumbai Suburban Railway (Marathi: मुंबई उपनगरीय रेल्) system, part of the public transportation system of Mumbai, is provided for by the state-run Indian Railways' two zonal Western Railways and Central Railways. The system carries more than 6.6 million commuters on a daily basis and constitutes more than half of the total daily passenger capacity of the Indian Railways itself. It has the highest passenger density of any urban railway system in the world. The trains plying on its routes are commonly referred to as local trains or simply as locals by the general populace.

The Mumbai Suburban Railway, as well as Indian Railways, are an offshoot of the first railway to be built by the British in India in April 1853. This was also the oldest railway system in Asia. The first train ran between Mumbai and Thane, a distance of 34 km. The "Bombay Railway History Group" [ [http://www.brhg.4t.com Bombay Railway History Group ] ] has been striving to document railway heritage along this line.

Given the geographical spread of the population and location of business areas, the rail network is the principal mode of mass transport in Mumbai.

Facilities

Spread over 464 route kilometres, The Suburban Railway system operates on 1500 V DC / 25000 kV AC (Virar-Borivali & Kasara - Titwala) power supply from overhead catenary lines. The suburban services are run by electric multiple units (EMUs). 171 rakes (train sets) of 9-car & 12-car composition are utilised to run 2342 train services, carrying 6.94 million passengers per day.

Zones and corridors

Two zonal Railways, the Western Railway (WR) and the Central Railway (CR), operate the Mumbai Suburban Railway system. At present, the fast corridors on Central Railway as well as Western Railway are shared for long distance (main line) and freight trains.

Western line

Two corridors (one local and the other through) on Western Railway run northwards from Churchgate terminus parallel to the west coast up to Dahanu Road (120 km). These corridors are popularly referred to as 'Western Line' by the locals mainly because it is operated and owned by the Western Railways. Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) ply between Churchgate and Virar and beyond Virar till Dahanu, Mainline Electrical Multiple Units and engine hauled shuttles are . There are EMU carsheds at Mumbai Central and Kandivali. The EMU Repair shop is at Mahalaxmi. The distance between Churchgate to Virar and Virar to Dahanu is almost the same, but the former has 28 stations, but the latter has just 6 stations because it lies outside the city limits. The prime stations on this route are Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Mira Road, Bhayander, Vasai and Virar. Western railway's EMU fleet consists of EMUs running on Direct Current (1.5 KV DC) power as well as those running as bi-current i.e. Alternating Current (25 KV) as well as Direct Current (1.5 KV) power. EMUs are 9 car or 12 car formations and are differentiated as slow and fast locals. Slow trains halt at all stations, while fast ones halt at important stations only and are preferable over longer distances. Trains usually start from and terminate at important stations. Abbreviations used for these train sources/destinations are as follows (in alphabetical order):

* C stands for Kurla. Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) (near Kurla) is a train terminus for some out-station passenger/express trains.

Harbour line

The Harbour line is part of the Central Railway, and runs a train corridor from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) to Andheri, Thane and Panvel. All harbour line services operate as slow services. The line operates from two separate platforms at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), and the tracks cross over the main line at Sandhurst Road, to head towards stations along Mumbai's eastern dock area. A branch line from Wadala Road joins the Western Railway Line at Mahim Junction and continues towards Andheri. The harbour line shares a common station at Kurla with the main line, where it turns east towards Navi Mumbai. The Harbour line further bifurcates at Vashi/Nerul,Navi Mumbai and follows to Thane and Panvel. A large section of the harbour line (Sandhurst Road to Reay Road, Reay Road to Sewri, Wadala Road to Mahim Junction) is elevated. There are 29 services in each direction every day.

Trains usually start from and terminate at important stations. Abbreviations used for these train sources/destinations are as follows (in alphabetical order):

World record passenger traffic density

The Western Railway line between Churchgate terminus and Dahanu Road carries about 2.6 million passengers per day, almost 43 percent of the total Mumbai suburban rail traffic. The annual passenger traffic density for the Western Line exceeds 145 million passenger-km per km of route per year. In other words, more than 145 million passengers travel, on average, over each km of line per year. The busiest segment, 60 km between Churchgate terminus and Virar, carries almost 900 million passengers per year. The annual traffic density, about 255 million passenger-km per km of route, is believed to be the world record for passenger rail transport.

Overcrowding

Due to its extensive reach across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and its intensive use by the local urban population, overcrowding has grown to be a compelling problem (5,000 + passengers are packed into a 9-car rake during peak hours, as against the rated carrying capacity of 1,700). This has resulted in what is known as "Super-Dense Crush Load" of 14 to 16 standing passengers per square meter of floor space. Trains on the suburban line are on average more than 4 minutes apart, contributing to the problem of overcrowding. The impending introduction of new higher speed rakes may help address the issue.

For Tourists

It has been advised for safety concerns for tourists to avoid the trains during weekdays, or at least during the morning and afternoon peak hours. The best way to enjoy the trains is on Sundays when they are relatively empty. During the work day, beware of getting on the express trains, specially the ones to Virar. The regulars want tourists to take the locals for the short commute and allow them some measure of comfort for their long commute; under some conditions, they will prevent the tourists from getting off the train by force. As a result, the tourists may have to join them all the way to Virar.

Fatalities

Yearly more than 3,500 people die on the Mumbai suburban railway track due to unsafe riding on trains or trespassing on railway tracks. This is believed to be the highest number of fatalities per year on any urban or suburban railway system. Most of the deaths are of passengers crossing the tracks on foot, instead of using the footbridges provided for going from one platform to another, and are hit by passing trains. Some passengers die when they sit on train roofs to avoid the crowds and are electrocuted by the overhead electric wires, or hang from doors and window bars.

Central and Western Railway was forced to release under the Right to Information Act that at least 20,706 people have died in the last five years; an average of 10 each day. The request was filed by Mumbai activist Chetan Kothari [http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=105&sid=1389255] [ Associated Press report, published 19 April 2008 ] .

Terrorist attacks

The Mumbai Suburban Railway has suffered 8 blasts including a series of blasts. Around 217 people are believed to have died as a result.

* 14 March 2003 - Bomb goes off in a train in Mulund killing 10
* 11 July 2006 - Series of seven bombs go off in trains killing 207

List of stations

Names in bold indicate that the station is a fast train stop.

Western line

Within Greater Mumbai: Churchgate, Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Dahisar

Outside Greater Mumbai: Mira Road, Bhayandar, Naigaon, Vasai Road, Nala Sopara, Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar, Vangaon, Dahanu Road

"In tabular format as per order of occurrence"

A new station between Goregaon and Jogeshwari, namely Oshiwara, will be functional soon.

Central (Main) line

Within Greater Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) (formerly, Boribandar Victoria Terminus (VT)), Masjid Bunder, Sandhurst Road, Byculla, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Parel, Dadar, Matunga, Sion, Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Nahur, Mulund, Thane

Outside Greater Mumbai: Kalwa, Mumbra, Diwa, Dombivli, Thakurli, Kalyan

Kalyan, Thane, Dadar are important stops for outstation trains.

At Kalyan, the route splits up into two sections.

*Karjat Line
**Kalyan, Vitthalwadi, Ulhasnagar, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri Road, Karjat, Palasdari, Kelavli, Dolavli, Lowjee, Khopoli

*Kasara Line
**Kalyan, Shahad, Ambivli, Titwala, Khadavli, Vasind, Asangaon, Atgaon, Khardi, Kasara

Harbour Line Stations

Within Greater Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) (formerly, Victoria Terminus (VT), Masjid, Sandhurst Road, Dockyard Road, Reay Road, Cotton Green, Sewri, Wadala road
# Towards Andheri: Wadala road, King's Circle, Mahim, Bandra, Khar Road, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri
# Towards Thane and Panvel: Wadala road, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Chunabhatti, Kurla,Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Govandi, Mankhurd
##Within Navi Mumbai:
### Towards Panvel: Vashi, Sanpada, Juinagar, Nerul, Seawoods, CBD Belapur, Kharghar, Mansarovar, Khandeshwar, Panvel
### Towards Thane: Vashi/Nerul/Panvel, Sanpada/Juinagar, Turbhe, Kopar Khairane, Ghansoli, Rabale, Airoli, Thane.
### Towards Karjat: Panvel, Chikhale, Mohope, Chowk, Karjat

Diwa-Vasai Road corridor

The Diwa - Vasai Road is serviced by Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU)
Diwa, Kopar, Bhiwandi, Kharbav, Kaman, Juchandra, Vasai Road

Rakes

A bulk of the current fleet of both the Western and Central railways features old rakes which are capable of a maximum speed of 85 km/h in regular service. Mostl of these rakes are built by Jessop (Kolkata) and ICF (Perambur). The recently introduced AC/DC rakes (more modern motors in the existing carriage designs) are capable of 100 km/h under low traffic conditions. The actual average speed of the rakes on the slow lines is about 35 km/h, while rakes on fast lines average about 45-50 km/h on a typical run.

On November 12, 2007, 1st new technology rake of 174 new technology rakes with upgraded facilities was inducted into the fleet of the Western Railways under the MUTP project. The coaches are built of stainless steel, and have cushioned seats, emergency fluorescent lights, bigger windows with polycarbonate lookout glass, better suspension systems and a novel roof mounted forced ventilation system, station indicators in all coache, GPS based Public information system in all coaches. These rakes have been procured under the project at a total cost of Rs 1,900 crore (Rs 19 billion) (USD 431.0 million).

Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC)

To enable the Mumbai Suburban Railway to meet the demands of the ever-growing passenger traffic, the federal Government of India's Ministry of Railways and the state Government of Maharashtra have jointly envisioned the constitution of a separate corporate entity to operate the system.

The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC Ltd), a public sector unit of the Government of India under the Ministry of Railways, was incorporated under the (Indian) Companies Act, 1956 on July 12, 1999, with an equity capital of Rs 25 crores to implement the rail component of an integrated rail-cum-road urban transport project, called Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). The cost of the rail component of the project is to be shared equally by Ministry of Railways and Government of Maharashtra.

Gallery

ee also

*List of rapid transit systems
*Salsette-Trombay Railway
*11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings

References

External links

* [http://www.irfca.org The Indian Railways Fan Club]
* [http://mrvc.co.in Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation]
* [http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/ Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority]
* [http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/projects_mutp.htm Mumbai Urban Transportation Project]
* [http://mumbainews.wordpress.com/2006/08/30/local-trains-time-table/ Mumbai Local Trains Time-Table (All Lines)]
* [http://mumbai.maps.googlepages.com A customized Google Map showing High Resolution Satellite Images of Mumbai's Suburban Western Railway system]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/11/12/MNG2P9PCR11.DTL Commute in Bombay deadly for thousands; officials in India strive to improve rail safety for millions of riders]
* [http://www.go4mumbai.com/ Interactive Time Table of Mumbai Suburban Central Railway System]
* [http://www.informationmadness.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=60 Mumbai Train Google mashup]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/bombay-railway.shtml BBC Four documentary on Mumbai suburban railways]
* [http://www.mumbai77.com/mumbailocal -:-'LOCAL TRAIN TIMETABLE ON MOBILE'-:-]
* [http://www.mumbai77.com/City_Info_Guide/Central_TimeTable.html CENTRAL Railway local Train Timetable]
* [http://www.mumbai77.com/City_Info_Guide/Western_TimeTable.html WESTERN Railway local Train Timetable]
* [http://www.mumbai77.com/City_Info_Guide/Harbour_TimeTable.html HARBOUR Railway local Train Timetable]