Central Railway takes charge of three Navi Mumbai stations, others to follow | Mumbai News
Thane/ Navi Mumbai: In a development that promises to improve amenities and station maintenance for Navi Mumbai railway commuters, three railway stations—Targhar, Kharkopar and Bamandongri—have officially been transferred from Cidco to Central Railway.The transfer for the three stations was formalised through an MoU signed between Cidco and Central Railway at Cidco Bhavan in the presence of Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske and senior officials from Cidco and Central Railway.The handover covered station buildings, forecourts, commuter parking facilities, electrical substations, telecom systems and other associated infrastructure. After the transfer, Central Railway will handle station operations, maintenance, passenger safety and service management.“The problem started after 2003 when the maintenance agreements for stations between Vashi and Belapur expired, while those between Kharghar and Khandeshwar lapsed in 2008. No fresh contracts were signed thereafter. The Trans-harbour stations between Airoli and Turbhe along with Bamandongri, Kharkopar and Kharghar never had any maintenance agreements at all. The result was failing infrastructure, inadequate upkeep and mounting commuter frustration,” Mhaske said.Speaking to TOI, Cidco joint managing director Dr Raja Dayanidhi, said, “We have been following the issue of transfer of station for a long time now, and finally it has become a reality. Other stations in Navi Mumbai will be transferred in phases as has been agreed by Central Railway. The entire process of transfer of remaining stations will be completed in the next six months.”Activists and regular commuters they bore the brunt due to the apparent administrative apathy as both agencies only passed responsibility on each other. The long-pending issue of maintenance of Navi Mumbai stations was finally resolved following intervention by Mhaske who claimed to have brought officials from both sides to the negotiating table on May 15.“I received complaints about the issue since I became a Member of Parliament. As a member of the Railway Advisory Committee, I raised the issue in New Delhi, which drew the attention of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who subsequently directed railway authorities to address the matter on priority,” said Mhaske while talking to TOI.With the first phase of transfer now complete, the migration of remaining stations is underway.
