Diva Commuters' Plight: No Direct Local to CSMT

Commuters from Diva are experiencing a setback as the railway administration has indicated it cannot introduce a direct Diva-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) local train service. The administration cited a lack of essential terminating platform infrastructure at Diva station as the primary reason for this inability. This decision follows a public grievance filed in August by Diva-based activist Ananda Patil, who highlighted severe peak-hour overcrowding and the associated risks of accidents and injuries. Patil noted that commuter population growth has outpaced service improvements, leading many to leave home earlier to avoid dangerous crowding.

Recent incidents, including a viral video of a woman falling from a stationary local and prior visuals of commuters precariously hanging from footboards, have drawn significant attention. The administration has forwarded the request for future consideration to the Mumbai division but has not committed to immediate infrastructure upgrades. Siddhesh Desai of the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh also emphasized that existing trains are often over capacity, impacting passengers at Kalwa and Diva.

Activists are now planning to approach local Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to take this issue to the Railway Ministry. They aim to escalate the matter through elected representatives, stating that eight to ten years of previous representations have yielded no concrete results. The goal is to seek the Railway Ministry's direct intervention to address the persistent commuter issues.