Rahul Gandhi may be roped in for rail roko

With nearly 75 per cent residents of Mira-Bhayandar natives of Rajasthan and Gujarat, a youth wing of a political organisation from the region is demanding that long distance trains proceeding towards the two neighbouring states should also halt at Bhayandar railway station. Members of Ovala Majiwada Vidhansabha from the Youth Congress party have decided that at first they will employ Gandhigiri, and if railway officials do not adhere to their demands, they will call Rahul Gandhi to join them in a rail roko agitation.

Youth power: Mira-Bhayandar Youth Congress members will call Rahul Gandhi to agitate at railway platforms, if their demand is not metu00a0

"We had a talk with Rahul Gandhi and he has promised us that he will take action if our demand is not taken seriously. There are a lot of senior citizens who travel to Gujarat and Rajasthan from the area and not a single train halts at Bhayandar. We have been receiving numerous complaints from residents, and this is a serious issue for Mira-Bhayandar residents," said Rahul Pareek, president, Ovala Majiwada Vidhansabha Youth Congress.

With a population of nearly 11 lakh in Mira-Bhayandar, for passengers travelling North the nearest boarding point for long-distance trains is Borivli. There are approximately 29 trains that ply through Gujarat, and 17 trains to Rajasthan. These trains only halt at Borivli, and few passenger trains halt at Virar.

"First we will humbly request railway authorities to consider our proposal by collecting signatures from residents," said Pareek. Members have already started the campaign and have collected more than 5,000 signatures by approaching residents on roads, platforms and even train compartments. If railway authorities do not hear their clarion call, they plan to start their agitation fromu00a0May 19.

Mujaffar Hussain, ex MLC from Congress, said, "This is a wonderful initiative, and the people from this area need this facility." Sandeep Silas, divisional railway manager, WR, said, "Only the Railway Board can take a decision in this matter. Once we receive the signatures we will pass it on to the concerned authorities."u00a0