Mumbai’s AC local is here, but you will have to wait 4 months for a ride
Mumbai’s first AC local train is currently at Kurla carshed
On his visit to the city on Thursday, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announced that the city’s first AC local will start field trials from May 15.
Prabhu, who was in the city for the centenary celebration of Matunga carshed, made a host of announcements during his visit. Among them, was the the announcement of two new elevated corridors on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)-Panvel and Churchgate-Virar routes.
On Mumbai’s first AC local, Prabhu said, “We will be running this for the first time, so we cannot afford to take any risks. We must conduct proper trials and hence we will run it from the 15th of May.”
The 12-coach train, manufactured at Chennai’s ICF at a cost Rs 54 crore, arrived in the city on April 5. It is currently undergoing static trials at Kurla workshop.
The field trials, which are likely to take around 3-4 months, are expected to complete by September this year. During field trials, the train will be tested under normal running conditions, albeit without passengers. Railway officials are also contemplating allowing a few senior citizens and women commuters to partake in the trials to get their feedback.
If the trials go smoothly, Mumbaikars may get to see it’s first AC local in action from September.
