Dabbawalas, fisherfolk, vendors slam railways for not adding luggage compartments for them in AC locals

The luggage compartments on Mumbai local trains don’t have the centre rod and the flooring is also anti-slippery. There is also provision for large baskets

If the swank new blue AC local trains are for all Mumbaikars to travel, why are some of them, such as dabbawallas, fisherfolk and vendors being left out? These people have been an integral part of the city, but the Railways have not included luggage compartments in the new trains for them to travel. They have demanded the Railways include luggage compartments in the AC train's design.

Unlike the regular non-AC local train, the air-conditioned local train is a straight walkthrough 12-car train. One can walk through six compartments in one stroke. It has markings for ladies and the disabled but no special section earmarked for luggage compartments. The regular 12-car Mumbai local train has three dedicated luggage compartment sections.

‘Railways forgot us?'

"Has the railways forgotten us? We cannot keep on going here and there, running with our fish crates. This is very unfair. We need a dedicated space. We are not against any upgrade, but it is not correct not to think of us during an upgrade," said a fisherman.

"The local trains are the lifeline for every citizen of Mumbai and demands of our community must be heard by the authorities. We demand a separate reserved compartment in these AC locals to accommodate fisherwomen and if our demands are not met, we will vehemently oppose this move," Devendra Tandel, president of Akhil Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti said, adding that their other concern is the high prices of tickets for the train.

The dabawalas are also furious with the Railways. "We dabbawalas have been using the Mumbai local train since the earliest days. We have been doing a crucial task of getting Mumbaikars their home food on time day in and day. The absence of luggage compartments will lead to loss of business and jobs for thousands like us. We demand that all future AC local trains include luggage compartments. We will be writing to the government and the railway ministry regarding this injustice," said Ulhas Shantaram Muke, president, Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charity Trust - part of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association. The dabbawalas had fought a battle in the court for a dedicated time slot on Mumbai suburban local trains.

Ulhas Shantaram Muke of Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charity Trust (right) Devendra Tandel of Akhil Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti

The luggage compartments on Mumbai local trains don't have the centre rod and the flooring is also anti-slippery. There is also provision for large baskets. Besides dabbawalas and fisherfolk, scores of vendors of various wares including fruits, pots and even wholesalers, take the early morning trains and board the luggage compartments with their goods. "Right now there are just one or two AC trains, but once the number increases, we will lose our freedom to get in the trains," Akhilesh Yadav, a vendor from Crawford Market at Mumbai CSMT said.

"We carry bundles of clothes in the luggage compartment of local trains to Mahalaxmi Dhobi talao. Will we be able to do that in the AC locals? I do not know who thinks of such ideas and there should be some education given to those who designed these trains," Jaaswantiben Mukadam, a vendor at Churchgate station said. The present trains also have dedicated timings for women vendors.

A former managing director of the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, Dr PC Sehgal, and his team had designed the new Mumbai local train in the previous decade with vibrant colours and upgrade. After this all trains which were earlier painted reddish brown and yellow got a major overhaul.

‘A social problem'

"If all the local trains are changed with air-conditioning and the luggage compartment is removed, it may give rise to a social problem. In that scenario, some space will have to be provided by blocking the AC, and providing wider doors," Sehgal said. Central Railway chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar acknowledged the problem. "We will convey the feedback from these stakeholders to the manufacturers," he said.