HC makes suggestions to reduce rush in Mumbai local trains

Change in office timings and shifting work on weekends were some of the suggestions made by the Bombay High Court today to reduce overcrowding in Mumbai suburban trains during peak hours.
Expressing concern over congestion in suburban trains, which sometimes proves fatal for commuters, the HC asked Railways to experiment with different ways to manage crowd and ensure people have hassle-free travel in peak hours.
A Division Bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achliya made the observations while hearing a PIL regarding reservation of seats for senior citizens in local trains.
"Can the crowd be disciplined? For example, at one station you allow entry of a certain number of passengers only... Will this work?" the court said.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh said this was not a feasible option. "In Mumbai, it is next to impossible (to implement such a plan). Every passenger standing on the platform wants to enter the train to reach his/her office on time."
The Bench then suggested that office timings be changed. "What if some department begins work after 11 am (instead of 9 or 9.30 am)? Can some offices work on weekends and have holidays on weekends? Justice Patil sought to know.

The HC also suggested the Railways to consider reserving one coach for senior citizens. Around 38,000 senior citizens daily travel on suburban trains.

The Railways, after an earlier court order, reserved 14 seats for them in a compartment.
"During peak hours, can a senior citizen enter the compartment and if not, then how can he even be able to reach his (reserved) seat?" the Bench said.
The court gave the Railways time till June 30 to put forward its opinion on suggestions made by it.