MUMBAI: Central Railway says it will need 150 air-conditioned locals, along with a communication-based train control (CBTC) system to allow services in intervals of two minutes. Increasing the frequency of local trains is necessary to prevent deaths of commuters on tracks due to overcrowding. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu had set up an accident review committee. CR and Western Railway’s reports are yet to be submitted to the ministry. “The AC trains CR has sought will have an automatic door closing system to prevent people from falling off. The CBTC will help improve headway and frequency from the current four minutes,” said a source. “If its wish is granted, CR will have 300 rakes at its disposal.” He said the idea was to run non-AC and AC services alternately, at least 15 of each per hour. “This will be an ideal option for all classes of commuters. Passenger load per rake will reduce and distribution improve.” The railway board has already placed an order for one AC rake, which is being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The rake, meant for Western Railway, has faced delay after delay, with officials citing ‘use of new technology’ for missing deadlines. Each AC rake is estimated to cost around Rs 70 crore. “The entire project will cost around Rs 10,000 crore,” the source said. The CBTC system will be brought in by CR only on the Harbour line and the slow corridor of the Main line and is likely to cost around Rs 2,000 crore. The system will not be introduced on the fast corridor which is also the route of mail and express trains, whose locomotives will not be CBTC-compatible. The long-term plan is for CR to phase out its existing rakes by 2030 and thereafter run only AC locals.

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