Mumbai: Suburban commuters of the Central Railway (CR) main line are expressing their frustration over perceived discriminatory treatment compared to those on the Western Railway (WR). While WR’s suburban services operate until 1 AM, CR’s last local train departs at 12:24 AM, leaving late-night travelers without options.

The Suburban Passengers Association has labeled this disparity as "step-motherly treatment," emphasizing that the earlier cutoff significantly impacts the travel needs of late-night passengers on the CR main line. Commuters argue that Mumbai’s bustling environment demands extended train services, especially for those working late or enjoying the city’s nightlife.

While WR’s last trains depart Churchgate at 12:50 AM for Virar and 1 AM for Borivali, CR’s last Kasara train leaves CSMT at 12:08 AM, followed by the Karjat train at 12:12 AM and the last Thane train at 12:24 AM. This discrepancy is increasingly seen as a barrier to the city’s vibrant nightlife and the daily lives of its residents.

In response to commuters' grievances, Free Press Journal, one of the city's oldest newspapers, has launched a campaign titled "Mumbaikar Wants Back 'Ek Chalis ki Last Local'," referencing a popular Bollywood film that highlighted the significance of late-night local trains to the city’s nightlife.

Siddhesh Desai, a representative of the Kalwa Pravasi Sangh, criticized the decision taken in the new time table, stating, "Central Railway is decreasing the efficiency of Mumbaikars' travel. Mumbai is Asia’s busiest city, functioning 24/7. Reducing the last local train time adversely affecting daily life of hundreds of Mumbaikars. Main line commuters of CR also deserve at least the same schedule as Western Railway."

Echoing these sentiments, Kailash Verma, head of the BJP railway cell in Maharashtra, emphasized the interconnectedness of nightlife in Mumbai and the availability of last local trains. "If WR can run suburban trains up to 1 AM, why can’t CR do the same? The earlier departure times for the last Karjat and Kasara locals from CSMT under the new timetable are a step backward."

Jitu Vishe, General Secretary of the Suburban Passengers Association, condemned the disparity in service. "Changing the time for the last Karjat and Kasara locals is unfair. How can Indian Railways adopt double standards in the same city?" he argued. While WR’s last trains depart from Churchgate at 12:50 AM for Virar and 1 AM for Borivali, CR’s last local trains to Kasara and Karjat leave CSMT at 12:08 AM and 12:12 AM, respectively and for Thane at 12.24 am.

"After implantation of new time table all suburban stations beyond Thane such as Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva, Dombivli, Kalyan, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur, Titwala, and Asangaon left without service after 12:28 AM from CSMT" said another commuter adding that CR authorities need to reassess the schedule for the benefit of the city’s bustling workforce.