Overcrowded trains leave commuters in distress during peak hours 

Residents who commute daily on the Panvel-Thane route are demanding an increase in the frequency of trains during peak hours due to constant overcrowding, which is negatively affecting the overall passenger experience on the Harbour Line.

Overcrowding of trains in Navi Mumbai, especially during peak hours, has become a critical hurdle for commuters. Ms. Sanjana Modak, a resident of Thane and a daily commuter, shared her experience and said, "My workplace is in Panvel, and the train schedule is a major issue. There's a train at 7:04 am, but the next one isn't until 8:03 am. If I miss the 7:04 am train, I'm forced to switch trains by getting down at Nerul railway station, which is incredibly difficult during peak hours due to the rush. The overcrowding makes it nearly impossible to navigate through the crowds, and it's a herculean task to perform daily. In my opinion increasing the frequency of trains on this route seems to be the only viable solution to this problem”.

Between 7 am to 10 am, there are only 7 trains originating from Panvel to Thane and just 5 trains originating from Thane to Panvel. Mr. Bhavya Rathod, another commuter, expressed his frustration and said, "Trains on the Panvel-Thane route are extremely crowded, and boarding a train after 8 am is truly a nightmare. The Harbour Line was always considered to be less crowded, but now it is just as congested as the Central and Western lines. The overcrowding makes the commute highly uncomfortable and stressful. I urge the authorities to increase the frequency of trains on this route. Doing so would not only make our daily commute more convenient but also significantly improve the overall passenger experience. Addressing this issue is crucial for the well-being of all commuters who rely on this line for their daily travel”.