Central Railway Revises AC Local Protocol After Incident

A recent incident on a Titwala-CSMT AC local train has prompted Central Railway to revise its operating protocol for air-conditioned local trains. On Monday morning, three passengers fell ill due to a cooling system failure on the train.

The incident occurred on the 8.33 am Titwala-CSMT AC local, where the cooling system remained non-functional for around 16 minutes during the morning peak hour. Three passengers were deboarded at Mulund after suffering breathing discomfort and heat-related distress.

According to CR Chief Public Relations Officer Dr. Swapnil Nila, the Train Traction Supervisor was unable to access the affected coach while the train was in motion, preventing an on-board inspection of the fault. Railway officials said the rake had no reported defects when it left the carshed and that the problem developed during the journey.

The AC system stopped functioning after the train crossed Diva, but the train continued for nearly 15-16 minutes before reaching Mulund. It was only after passengers complained of suffocation and three commuters fell ill that the train was halted. Railway staff later operated the train with its doors open between Mulund and Kurla to improve ventilation before withdrawing the rake at Kurla for detailed examination.

Under the revised procedure, any AC local that develops a cooling system failure during its journey will be stopped at the next station, passengers will be asked to deboard, and the rake will be withdrawn from service for inspection and repairs.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the reliability of Mumbai's AC suburban services and the lack of emergency medical facilities at Mulund station. While Emergency Medical Rooms are available at Thane, Ghatkopar, Kurla and Kalyan, busy stations such as Mulund, Mumbra and Chembur continue to operate without them.

Railway officials said the investigation into the exact reason behind the AC failure is still underway, and the findings will determine the cause of the technical fault.

The revised protocol is expected to improve the safety and comfort of passengers on AC local trains. The incident highlights the need for emergency medical facilities at all busy stations in Mumbai.

In the meantime, passengers can expect a more efficient handling of cooling system failures on AC local trains. The new protocol will help prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure a smoother commute for passengers.

The incident is a reminder of the importance of maintaining and inspecting train equipment regularly to prevent technical faults. It also underscores the need for emergency medical facilities at all stations to handle any medical emergencies that may arise.

For Mumbai residents, the revised protocol is a welcome move, as it prioritizes passenger safety and comfort. As the city's suburban rail network continues to expand, it is essential to ensure that all trains are equipped with functional cooling systems and that emergency medical facilities are available at all stations.