The return of air-conditioned (AC) local trains on the Harbour Line has sparked worry among non-AC commuters who have sought their introduction as additional services and not as replacements to the existing services. The decision to reintroduce the services on Mumbai’s Harbour Line from Republic Day, despite them not doing too well earlier on the route, leading to withdrawal, has triggered concern among thousands of daily non-AC commuters, as the new services will replace existing regular local trains rather than add to the total number of services.

Central Railway (CR) plans to replace 14 non-AC services on the Harbour Line stretch with AC locals, operating seven services each in the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ directions starting January 26. As per the timetable, the first AC service of the day will leave Vashi station at 4.15 am for Wadala, and the return journey of the ‘Down’ train will begin at 5.06 am from Wadala to Panvel. As for the peak hours, there will be a Panvel-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) service at 9.09 am, while the evening peak-hour service will operate on the Wadala-Panvel route, departing at 5.30 pm.