Commuters' Outcry: Rail Roko at Virar Over Train Service Changes

Commuters at Virar station protested against the replacement of non-AC trains with AC services, temporarily halting the 8:28 AM train. The protest was resolved after a short delay. Western Railway reports increasing patronage of AC trains despite concerns over affordability and crowded alternatives during peak hours.

Commuters at Virar station in Palghar district staged a rail roko on Monday morning to express their dissatisfaction over the Western Railway's decision to replace non-AC local trains with AC services. The protest, which involved around 20 to 30 people, briefly disrupted the 8:28 AM AC train as demonstrators climbed onto the tracks chanting slogans against the railway authorities.

The protest caused a delay of about 10 to 11 minutes, according to Vineet Abhishek, Western Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer. After the protestors were removed following counselling by security personnel, services were promptly resumed. This change, implemented from April 1, has introduced 12 new AC services, leading to mixed reactions among commuters.

While railway officials claim the AC services are increasingly popular, some passengers argue that ticket prices are too high, exacerbating congestion on non-AC trains during busy periods. Videos of the protest have gone viral, highlighting the growing debate over affordability and the impact on regular commuters.