Mumbai's first suburban AC train arrives

Mumbai commuters will soon get the comfort of air-conditioned train travel with the first AC local train arriving at the Kurla car shed. The train, which was flagged from Chennai on 31 March, has finally arrived in the metropolis.

The trial run for first ever fully air-conditioned train would take place within a week, and according to reports, the fully air-conditioned train will be run on a minimum fare ranging between Rs60 to Rs 70.

The 12-car train, with 1,028 seats, will have a total carrying capacity of 5,964 people, people at a time. Central Railway general manager Sunil Kumar Sood had last week told Mumbai Mirror that the railways would follow the fare model of Delhi Metro for the AC local.

If the proposal is accepted, Mumbaikars will be able to enjoy AC local train service from CST to Panvel by paying Rs60 to Rs70, Sood is  reported to have said. The proposed fair of Rs60 to Rs70 is tentative, as the basic fare for AC local train is yet to be finalised.

The AC train arrived at Mumbai on Tuesday morning and is parked at the Kurla car shed, where first round of inspection is beeing done by ground staff.

The first-ever AC local is likely to be operational after three -  four weeks, following the completion of trial runs. However authorities have not given any specific date when commuters will be allowed to enjoy the air condition ride in train.

The speed of the silver-blue coloured AC local train will be limited to around 50-60 kmph during the first few trials. The train is built at a cost of Rs54 crore which has no general or first class compartments, but two of the 12 coaches could be reserved for female commuters.

The operation of AC local on Mumbai suburban service was announce during 2012-13 Railway Budget, but initial huddles delayed the project for almost two years.