We can't handle it, groan train commuters

Complain that new Bakelite handles, that have space for ad display, are rough to the touch, inconvenient and tend to snap under rush hour pressure

Complain that new Bakelite handles, that have space for ad display, are rough to the touch, inconvenient and tend to snap under rush hour pressureu00a0

Mumbai's local train commuters are finding the new Bakelite overhead handles, introduced as part of a pilot project in one CR and five WR local trains, extremely uncomfortable. Last month, the Railways gave the go ahead to a private ad agency to design and install the transparent handles, also known as hand catches, which have a rectangular display space for advertisements.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0



Sarla Misra (26), a sales executive and a daily commuter, said, "Unlike the older handles, which can be held by two to three people at a time, the new handles, can't be held by more than one person, and the grip is so rough that it hurts. Such handles are fine for buses but they don't work in trains. The Railways should think of ways of earning money without compromising on commuters' comfort."

S Mudgerikar, chief public relation officer, Central Railway, said, "We are keeping a close eye on how the handles are faring. If the commuters are not comfortable with them and we continue to get complaints, we will abort the project."

Weak handles
PR executive and local train commuter Usha Shrivastav (32), said the handles often came undone. "During rush hours, one often sees two to three people holding on to one handle. I have seen these new handles giving away in such situations," said Shrivastav.

Mudgerikar, however, said the material of the new handles is strong enough to take a person's weight. "While it is the ad agency that will install the handles, our engineers will test the material before it is fitted so the commuters' safety is not compromised," Mudgerikar added.

Railways expect to earn Rs 1.6 lakh per month in ad revenue from the new handles in a 12-car train, and Rs 1.2 lakh from nine-car trains. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) uses similar transparent handles for display ads on their buses.

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