Articles by Shashank Rao
Authorities know about menace of share autos but don’t act: Students, office-goers
Both groups have said that the authorities know everything about the flouting of rules by share auto drivers but do not want to act. Helpless due to insufficient BEST buses from Kurla West, the commuters are forced to stand in long queues and are at the mercy of share auto drivers
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Private bus operators unwilling to accept BEST fares
According to sources among private bus owners, BEST has been rigid about paying BEST rates to private bus operators who are willing to help out in the crisis. The Undertaking is paying ₹45 to ₹56 per kilometre, depending on whether the bus is air-conditioned or not. Sources said that some private bus operators were charging as much as ₹20 to ₹30 per seat on a few routes that they were operating
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:37 AM IST
Protestors forcefully stop Best-owned bus on road, garland driver
For the first five days, the drivers used to arrive at Azad Maidan and protest peacefully till the evening. However, wet lease drivers said that some of them have now lost their patience
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Daily commuters switch to metro as BEST drivers’ strike intensifies
According to officials from Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), Metro Lines 2A and 7 catered to 2,36,705 passengers on August 4
Updated on Aug 07, 2023 12:08 AM IST
Meet the woman who stirred BEST’s drivers to strike
It all began on July 4, when the couple decided to dig deeper into the terms of the meagre remuneration Raghunath was receiving from his employer
Updated on Aug 05, 2023 12:26 AM IST
1,009 BEST wet lease buses off the road, commuters in turmoil
On August 3, wet-lease drivers from different bus depots congregated at Azad Maidan. “Around 2,500 to 3,000 drivers came out in full support to our cause, demanding an increase in their salaries,” said Raghunath Khajurkar, who works for one of the wet-lease operators and is leading the strike. “We will come to Azad Maidan every day and leave in the evening. Our strike will continue”
Updated on Aug 04, 2023 12:11 AM IST
A day after firing incident, RPF conducts safety seminar
After a constable allegedly killed four people on a train, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) held a safety seminar to address issues faced by the force, including vacancies and long working hours. The seminar was conducted by the additional director general of RPF, who also heads the committee investigating the incident. The committee has been given three weeks to investigate and find solutions.
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 12:51 AM IST
Multi-level parking for metro rakes planned
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to create two-level parking spaces for metro rakes in order to enhance the public transport system in Mumbai. The first depot is currently under construction at Mandale, Mankhurd, with plans to replicate the idea in Kanjurmarg and Kasheli. The two-level parking will double the space and increase the holding capacity, allowing for a shorter frequency of trains. The project aims to boost connectivity from the city's western suburbs to its eastern corner.
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 12:47 AM IST
5-member panel formed to investigate shooting incident
A committee headed by Sanjay Sankrityayan has been given three weeks to investigate a shooting incident on a train and find solutions to prevent similar incidents. The committee will discuss working hours, use of weapons, and patrolling of trains.
Updated on Aug 02, 2023 12:50 AM IST
‘He is short-tempered and often gets into scuffles’
RPF constable Chetan Singh, who allegedly killed four people on the Jaipur-Mumbai Express, was known for his short temper and involvement in scuffles. He was posted in Ratlam before coming to Mumbai in March. Singh had also patrolled the same train for two days before the incident.
Updated on Aug 02, 2023 12:42 AM IST
As roads, tracks go underwater, people take to elevated metro
The elevated metro lines in Mumbai are experiencing a surge in ridership as people use them to escape flooded roads and railway tracks during heavy rains. The highest footfall ever was recorded on July 26, with over 6.50 lakh passengers traveling between the 30 stations of Metro lines 2A and 7. The metro authority has successfully operated 253 daily services with 100% punctuality despite the challenging weather conditions.
Updated on Jul 29, 2023 12:52 AM IST
Beleaguered BEST seeks funds from BMC to buy more buses
A letter has been written by the Undertaking seeking financial assistance as their fleet is down to 3,100 buses. The BEST already has losses of over ₹6,000 crore. BEST Undertaking is procuring these buses as it has to maintain a of 3,337 buses as per a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with BEST Workers Union.
Updated on Jul 29, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Work on two rail lines for long-distance trains to begin after monsoon
The development will lead to the demolition of 50 structures in the route and the cutting of mangroves along the Vasai and Bhayandar creeks, added the official
Updated on Jul 28, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Rat attack on garbage piles weakens Parsik Hill in Thane
Rats burrowing into a 107-year-old rail tunnel in Mumbai have weakened the hill through which it passes, causing concern for authorities. Two incidents of cave-ins have been reported, and boulders have been rolling down the hill, indicating loosening soil. The rats have been drawn to garbage dumped on the hill, and their burrows have further weakened the hill. Measures are being taken to stop the dumping of garbage and to clear unauthorised slums in the area. Retaining walls have been built to protect the rail lines from collapsing.
Updated on Jul 27, 2023 12:53 AM IST
Commuters hit as IRCTC website, app remain down for hours
Lakhs of commuters were affected after digital booking of the Indian Railways took a severe hit on Tuesday. The IRCTC server crashed for around 10 and a half hours that crippled booking of local and long-distance trains
Updated on Jul 26, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Mumbai’s dabbawalas dwindle in face of post-Covid wariness, surge in app usage
Mumbai's dabbawalas, known for their efficient lunchbox delivery system, have been hit hard by the pandemic, with their numbers dropping from 5,000 to 1,000.
Updated on Jul 25, 2023 11:52 PM IST
Shashank Rao, Mumbai
Share auto menace: 86 illegal stands in western suburbs, says union
The Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union has identified 86 unauthorised shared autorickshaw stands in the western suburbs of the city. These stands create chaos outside railway stations and quote unapproved fares, causing problems for other vehicles. The union has called on the transport department and regional transport offices to approve these stands and make them legal. Commuters have complained about the dangerous driving and safety risks posed by these illegal share autos.
Updated on Jul 25, 2023 12:49 AM IST
Shashank Rao, Mumbai
First pedestrian subway connecting CSMT with Metro-3 Line gets go-ahead
Passengers using the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai will have direct access to the Aqua Line metro station through an underground pedestrian subway. The 365-meter-long pathway will ease movement and provide easy access to two modes of public transit. The subway will start from platform number 1 of CSMT and end at Azad Maidan metro station. Access to the subway will require an access card. The cost of construction will be shared by the Maharashtra government and Indian Railways. The subway will include features such as travelators, lifts, escalators, refreshment sections, and toilet blocks.
Updated on Jul 24, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Mumbai’s wait for more AC local trains gets longer
Right now, there are only 14 AC locals running on both Western and Central Railways catering to 1.5 lakh daily commuters, and this skewed equation has commuters emphasising the need to increase the number
Updated on Jul 24, 2023 12:40 AM IST
High-speed rail lines on Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi route to be completed by March 2024: Railway official
Indian Railways are expecting that when the upgradation of the rail lines is completed, the first Vande Bharat sleeper train will also be operational, the officials said, adding that there is a possibility that the country’s first such train could run on this route
Updated on Jul 22, 2023 12:49 AM IST
Heavy rains, high tide disrupt Mumbai
Seven spots in the city received more than 100mm of rainfall between 8am and 6pm. During this period, the city received an average of 73.62mm of rainfall in the island city, 88.30mm in the eastern suburbs and 63.29mm in the western suburbs
Updated on Jul 22, 2023 12:44 AM IST
Jeet MashruShashank RaoMegha Sood
L&T to construct Thane, Virar and Boisar stations of high-speed rail line
The stations will have amenities that include ticketing and waiting areas, a business-class lounge, a nursery, restrooms, smoking rooms, information kiosks, incidental retail centres and a public information and announcement system
Updated on Jul 21, 2023 12:48 AM IST
Rly unions oppose redevelopment of 144-yr-old Parel workshop
The Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS), along with other railway staff, has started staging hunger strikes to protest against the construction of the Parel terminus as, according to them, it will further congest the city and destabilise the Central Railway
Updated on Jul 20, 2023 12:29 AM IST
Commuters face tough time as downpour hits local train services
While Mumbai city was spared the chaos, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) was not that lucky as lakhs of people faced issues — from disruption in services on Central Railway to power cuts in several parts. According to Central Railway (CR) officials, 100 services were cancelled on the Main and Harbour lines
Updated on Jul 20, 2023 12:25 AM IST
Shashank RaoMegha Sood
At least six failures a day delay local train operations on CR
At least six failures a day cause delays in Mumbai's local train operations, with alarm chain pulling being the main reason, according to the Central Railway. Between April 1 and July 13, there were a total of 646 failures reported on the main, Harbour and Trans-harbour lines. Commuters misuse the emergency alarm chain, leading to delays and affecting punctuality. Other reasons for delays include signal failures, track defects, and opening of level crossing gates. The number of unit failures in train coaches has dropped from 51 cases last year to 33 cases this year.
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:30 AM IST
ITMS to be installed on expressways to nab motorists using cheat apps
The state government of Maharashtra in India is installing an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) on two major highways to counter the use of mobile apps by motorists to evade CCTV cameras and avoid fines. The ITMS will cover the highways with optical fibre and install thousands of CCTVs to monitor the roads. High-end speed guns will also be used to detect speeding vehicles. The move comes after the Regional Transport Offices (RTO) apprehended hundreds of vehicles for speeding and other offences on the highways. The ITMS is expected to render the mobile apps ineffective.
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Now WhatsApp complaint against errant auto and taxi drivers to RTO
The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Mumbai have launched a WhatsApp service for commuters to report complaints against taxi and autorickshaw drivers. Citizens can also lodge complaints against drivers who work with aggregator cab services like Ola and Uber. The RTOs are aiming to take necessary action after thorough investigation of the complaints received. The initiative is expected to address issues such as refusal to ply, wrongly parked vehicles, refusal to go by the meter, rigged meters, and carrying more passengers than permissible.
Updated on Jul 12, 2023 01:23 AM IST
No concession on Vande Bharat fare from Mumbai
Commuters taking Vande Bharat trains from Mumbai will not receive up to 25% fare reduction for AC chair cars and executive classes due to high demand. The concession will only apply to trains with a demand of less than 50%.
Updated on Jul 11, 2023 12:58 AM IST
Train service on Seawoods-Kharkopar-Uran corridor to start soon
Train service on the Seawoods-Kharkopar-Uran rail corridor in Mumbai will begin in the next two weeks after a delay of over 25 years. The completion of the project is crucial for the rapidly growing Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the proximity of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. Once operational, the Central Railway will be able to operate local trains on the Fourth Corridor, connecting Belapur-Seawoods-Uran. The project will benefit commuters traveling to the upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
Updated on Jul 09, 2023 12:41 AM IST
BEST, MSRTC making headway in procurement of AC e-buses
Mumbai's public transport bodies, BEST and MSRTC, will soon receive a total of 25,150 eco-friendly electric buses from Olectra Greentech. The buses will be supplied over the next 24 months and will contribute to the region's aim of greener transportation.
Updated on Jul 08, 2023 12:50 AM IST
