Trains just need to be punctual, no need to be too early

This picture has been used for representational purpose

A local train that leaves before time? It may sound like one for the Ripley's Believe it or Not but it is happening say commuters on the trans-harbour line of the Central Railway. Some commuters have complained to the Central Railway that the trains are leaving before time, leading to a rush and causing injuries. The panic is compounded because of the frequency of trains on this line. The gap is as large as 45 minutes, so if you miss one train, you could be late by over an hour.

The commuters have been complaining verbally, but now have put their grievances down in writing, in an escalation. The Railways say as per rules, local trains are allowed to leave earlier enroute stations, they should be on time at the original station. Irked commuters cite instances of people falling down, as they become desperate to board the local train, which leaves around two minutes ahead of time from the station on the route.

They have questioned whether somebody will be dead in a harried attempt to board the train, in a report in this paper. They explained that people are tearing down the staircase leading to the platform as the train starts moving out ahead of time. If one goes strictly by the rules, then maybe the authorities are right in saying that they can leave earlier enroute. What we do have though is a very difficult situation which makes trains leaving before time a no-no.

Infrequent trains and a rush as road travel has become exorbitant and close to impossible in these times means commuters are in a tearing hurry to reach their destinations. This can be very dangerous, and hence it's important to listen to the complaint, increase the frequency of trains or seeing that they leave on time, not earlier. Listen and act, Railways, to avoid a huge tragedy.