Suggestions to reduce Mumbai Suburban train congestion


I.            W.R. ticketing data

Average daily ticket sales (originating passengers)

Stations

2011-12

2015-16

Churchgate

1,36,875

1,05,518

Dadar

1,73,971

1,41,252

Bandra

1,50,110

1,35,432

Andheri

2,60,945

2,48,577

Borivali

3,09,020

2,74,330

Bhayander

1,78,309

1,72,739

Vasai

1,27,945

1,29,931

Nalasopara

167,167

2,14,810

Virar

1,59,651

1,90,217

II.         Northwards shift of population and commercial activities by a minimum 10-15 km

Mumbai city has had negative population growth, but its suburbs and the northern Mumbai metropolitan regions have experienced an unprecedented population explosion (may be due to unaffordable housing in Mumbai):

Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) area2001 census population2011 census population
Mumbai island city33,26,00031,45,000
Mumbai suburbs85,58,00093,32,000
Mira - Bhayander5,20,0008,14,655
Virar-Vasai6,93,35012,21,233
Thane12,63,00018,19,000
Kalyan-Dombivali11,93,51212,47,347
Badlapur97,9481,74,226
Navi Mumbai7,04,00011,20,547

During 2011 census, Thane comprised of 6 municipal corporations (Mira-Bhayandar, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Navi Mumbai) and municipal councils (Ambernath and Kulgaon Badlapur). Thane was India’s most populous district, with the highest growth rate of 35.9% during 2001-11.

This demographic shift has led to the relocation of commercial activities from their traditional bases of Nariman Point, Masjid Bunder, Churchgate and Fort in south Mumbai – to further north in Lower Parel in Central Mumbai; Kurla (BKC), Ghatkopar and Vikhroli in eastern suburbs, Bandra (BKC), Andheri, Malad in the western suburbs; and Vashi and Belapur in Navi Mumbai. Popularity of Andheri - Ghatkopar metro and Western Railway data also confirms that trend. But majority of the services are still Churchgate-centric, as shown below.


III.       Suggestions for south bound train services timetable:
  • During the peak hours of 6-10 am, there are 48 trains in the Borivali to Churchgate section, whereas only 16 in the Virar to Churchgate section. Even if a few south-bound services are terminated at Dadar, Bandra and Andheri (due to rush at Lower Parel, BKC & Metro-rail respectively), this faster turnaround will provide major relief to commuters of northerly stations.
  • During the peak hours of 6-10 am, 6 trains are being run from Bandra to Churchgate and vice-versa. A few could be run north-wards instead. This will easily reduce congestion at northerly stations, specially Nalasopara.

South-bound WR suburban main line services existing timetable 

Note: Services include (slow+fast). So 7+5 means 7 slow and 5 fast services in that time slot

From

To

6-7am

7-8am

8-9am

9-10am

10-11am

11am-5pm

5-6pm

6-7pm

7-8pm

8-9pm

9pm-6am

Virar

Churchgate

0+3

1+4

0+6

0+4

0+5

2+33

1+5

2+6

0+4

0+5

6+21

Nalasopara

Churchgate

1

0+1

Vasai

Churchgate

0+1

0+2

0+1

1+1

0+1

Bhayander

Churchgate

0+1

0+1

0+1

1+1

0+1

0+7

0+2

0+2

0+1

5+2

Borivali

Churchgate

12+3

6+6

7+5

4+5

5+9

55+15

5+3

9+9

9+4

10+3

42+4

Malad

Churchgate

0+2

0+2

0+1

0+1

Goregaon

Churchgate

0+2

0+1

Andheri

Churchgate

2

4

9

5

9

15

3

6

2

6

5

Bandra

Churchgate

1

2

3

3

1

1

4

Virar

Dadar

0+2

0+1

0+1

0+4

0+2

0+1

0+1

Vasai

Dadar

0+1

0+1

0+1

Bhayander

Dadar

0+1

0+2

Borivali

Dadar

0+1

0+2

Virar

Bandra

1

1

1

1

1

1

Nalasopara

Bandra

2

Vasai

Bandra

1

Bhayander

Bandra

1+1

Virar

Andheri

1

1

1

0+3

1

4+4

0+1

2+2

1

6+1

Nalasopara

Andheri

1

Vasai

Andheri

1

1

1+1

0+1

1

0+1

Bhayander

Andheri

1+1

0+1

Borivali

Andheri

1

Virar

Borivali

1

3+1

3

3+1

2

4

3

2

4

2

8

Nalasopara

Borivali

2

2

Vasai

Borivali

1

1

1

Bhayander

Borivali

1

During south-bound rush hours, there are 107 services terminating at Churchgate and only 28 at all other stations


IV.            Suggestions for north bound train services timetable:

  • There simply seems no need to start so many services from Churchgate during evening 5-9 pm rush hours. If a few more services can be started from Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, it will provide great relief to commuters returning home.
  • During 5-9 pm rush hours, only 5 DOWN services start from Bandra and Dadar each, whereas 10 DOWN trains are run from Churchgate to Bandra

North-bound WR suburban main line services existing timetable 

Note: Services include (slow+fast). So 7+5 means 7 slow and 5 fast services in that time slot

From

To

6-7am

7-8am

8-9am

9-10am

10-11am

11am-5pm

5-6pm

6-7pm

7-8pm

8-9pm

9pm-6am

Churchgate

Virar

0+5

0+5

0+4

0+5

1+5

5+27

0+3

2+5

0+4

1+4

5+18

Nalasopara

1

Vasai

0+1

0+1

0+2

0+2

Bhayander

0+2

0+1

1+1

0+8

1+2

7+3

Borivali

9+4

10+1

8+4

9+5

10+3

57+8

7+8

6+5

7+6

10+4

32+6

Malad

0+2

0+3

0+1

Goregaon

0+1

0+2

0+1

Andheri

1

3

7

5+3

5+1

15

4

4

5

2

1

Bandra

1

1

1

3

1

1

3

3

1

3

7

Mum Cen

1

3

1

Mum Cen

Borivali

1

Mahalaxmi

Borivali

1

1

2

1

3

Andheri

1

Elphinstone

Virar

1

Dadar

Virar

0+1

0+2

0+1

0+3

0+8

0+1

0+1

0+1

Vasai

0+1

Bhayander

0+2

0+1

Borivali

0+1

0+1

0+1

Bandra

Virar

1

1

1

1

1

1

3+1

Vasai

1

1

Bhayander

1

Borivali

2

1

1

4

Andheri

Virar

0+1

1

0+3

6+1

1+1

1+2

0+1

3+1

3+1

Nalasopara

1

2

Vasai

1

0+2

0+1

Bhayander

1+1

1

3+1

Borivali

1

Borivali

Virar

2

1+1

2

3

0+1

5

1

2

1

3

6

Nalasopara

1

1

1

1

Vasai

2+1

1

1

1

1

Bhayander

1

1+1

1

Bhayander

Virar

1

1

3

During north-bound rush hour, there are 102 services starting from Churchgate & only 33 from all other stations


Thanks and Regards,
Gaurang Damani
[email protected]