Commuters at Diva Junction in Mumbai staged a protest on August 14, expressing frustration over persistent train delays and other commuting issues. Demonstrators, many wearing black armbands, called for immediate action to address their grievances, with key demands including the initiation of local trains from Diva and modifications to train schedules during the Ganpati festival.
The protest, which commenced at 9 am, was part of a broader movement spearheaded by rail passenger associations. These groups are advocating for significant changes to improve the daily commute experience. Their immediate demands include starting local trains from Diva station to alleviate overcrowding and ensure a smoother travel experience, especially during peak hours. As the August 22 protest approaches, the focus remains on securing tangible improvements to the city’s rail network, reflecting the urgent need for reforms to address longstanding commuter concerns.
A member of a prominent railway passenger association highlighted that over 1,000 black armbands were prepared for the demonstration, underscoring the seriousness of the commuter concerns. According to the Federation of Suburban Railway Passengers Associations, the lack of trains originating from Diva exacerbates overcrowding issues on trains starting from nearby stations like Dombivli and Kalyan.
In advance of a larger protest scheduled for August 22, the associations have outlined five main points for the Indian Railways to address. These include improving the punctuality of local trains, which are currently delayed by 15-30 minutes, ensuring that long-distance trains do not overshadow suburban services during peak periods, and establishing a unified transport body for Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to streamline management and operations.
Central Railway (CR) officials have acknowledged the issues raised and are in discussions with passenger associations to explore viable solutions. The CR operates 1,810 daily services with a fleet of over 140 trains. However, commuters have reported delays, attributed to long-distance trains occupying lines 3 and 4 in the Kurla-Kalyan section, while lines 5 and 6 remain underutilised. This misallocation has compounded the challenges faced by local train services.
