WR to get two AC locals by mid-April

The next two air-conditioned electric multiple units (EMUs) to run on the Mumbai suburban network will go to Western Railway (WR) and are scheduled to arrive in the city by mid-April. They will have components from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and will be built along the lines of the current AC local EMU.

“We are expecting to receive the next two AC locals by mid-April. They will be built along the lines of the the current AC local and we will be able to press them into service immediately,” said Chief Public Relations Officer, WR, Ravinder Bhakar.

Mr. Bhakar said the current AC local train was due for overhaul in May, due to which they will need to pull the rake out of service temporarily. A two-week overhaul is conducted after 15 months of service to ensure the rake is running smoothly. With two AC EMUs, there will be additional AC services added to the current 12. “To maintain AC services we require at least two rakes,” Mr. Bhakar said.

However, Central Railway commuters’ wait for AC services will increase as a result. Senior railway officials said, at least one of the next two trains was expected to go to CR. Out of the 12 AC locals built with BHEL components, six each have been allotted to WR and CR. The ICF has also sent a prototype AC EMU built along the lines of Train-18. But it will be a couple of months before it is pressed into service.