A commuter activist from Diva, Amol Kendre, has threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike to demand a Diva-originating local train to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) during peak hours. This announcement comes as part of a planned protest on August 14, where commuters will be wearing black bands to show their support for the cause.
Kendre explained that the demand for a Diva-CSMT local train has been a long-standing issue, with efforts made through a signature campaign and petitions to political leaders in 2022. While some improvements have been made at the station since then, the core demand of starting a local train from Diva remains unfulfilled.
The activist highlighted the importance of having local train services from Diva to CSMT to alleviate the extreme crowding issues at the station. He emphasized that Diva is a significant station with existing terminating and originating trains for Vasai, making it a viable option for starting local services to CSMT.
Despite the activist’s efforts, a railway official mentioned that starting services from Diva is not currently feasible due to system saturation. The official explained that future plans involve increasing services from Thane station and mentioned the lack of a reversal point at Diva for terminating trains.
In response to the official’s statements, Kendre reiterated his commitment to the cause by announcing his hunger strike starting on August 16 to bring attention to the issue. He remains determined to push for the implementation of Diva-CSMT local services to address the overcrowding and improve commuter experience.
The ongoing developments and discussions around the demand for Diva-CSMT local services reflect the persistence and advocacy of activists like Amol Kendre in striving for better public transportation options for commuters in the region. As the issue continues to unfold, stakeholders will need to consider the feasibility and benefits of initiating local train services from Diva to CSMT to meet the growing transportation needs of the community.