Railway minister assures action plan to improve services for Thane commuters

THANE: In a welcome relief for lakhs of railway passengers from Thane and suburbs, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured the formation of an action plan to address complaints and issues related to railway services in the region.
The announcement was made by Vaishnaw following a representation by Members of Parliament Dr Shrikant Shinde from Kalyan and Naresh Mhaske from Thane, who met the minister in Delhi on Friday, highlighting several railway-related concerns and the need for improvement in the quality and safety of services, especially on the suburban corridor.
“We asked for more special local services for women and increased first-class ladies’ coaches, in addition to having clean, hygienic, and well-maintained women’s toilets at every station. The need for the deployment of more female security personnel during peak hours in ladies’ compartments was also sought, and we also pushed for the installation of more CCTV cameras at stations in Thane district,” Mhaske said.
The MPs also urged Vaishnaw to ensure prompt medical assistance to injured passengers, including free treatment at both govt and private hospitals. The need for the reopening of clinics at stations was also highlighted.
In addition, the need to fast-track work on the new station between Thane and Mulund, along with flyovers and underpasses in the region, was also discussed, along with operating escalators at key stations in the district, said Mhaske.
“The concerns raised are valid, and we will work on a comprehensive action plan to ensure better facilities, security, and overall comfort for passengers,” Mhaske added.