Suresh Prabhu looks to fix Mumbai’s suburban train services: report

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has formulated a 56-point programme to bring Mumbai's suburban railway network on track. Prabhu, who flew to Mumbai on Friday, is reported to have held meetings with the general managers of Western and Central Railways, managers and managing directors of Konkan Railway and officials from the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation in a bid to devise a plan for an efficient transport network in the city.

He is reported to have taken up a master plan prepared by the railways, state government and the Mumbai Port Trust to create a transport corridor for fast harbour railway trains to connect the city to the new airport besides maintenance and repairs of the suburban network.

"I have been receiving many complaints about the delays in the way the railway functions," Mumbai Mirror quoted Prabhu as saying. "I told everyone present at the meeting that urgent steps need to be taken. We will have to work in a time-bound manner and clear the huge back log in Mumbai.''

Officers present at the meeting informed Prabhu that overcrowding and ageing assets were a cause for concern.

"He was told that investment of Rs50,000 crore is needed in Mumbai," an official present at the meeting said.

They also said Floor Space Index relaxations and approvals for land use have to be accorded by the urban development department and civic bodies to aid speedy rail network expansion.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who met Prabhu during his visit to the city said, "The railway minister spoke to me about the work that needs to be taken up. Since there were delays in the suburban system, I spoke to railway officials. They said there weren't enough megablocks scheduled for maintenance. The signalling system and outlay too has to be improved, I was told."