As summer heat rises, the effort by the Railways to introduce more AC local train services has heated up the debate of AC vs non-AC local train services. The Central Railway will be replacing 14 non-AC services with AC ones starting April 16, triggering the debate of AC vs non-AC commuters all over again. This time around, services have been planned to be introduced from Badlapur, Kalyan and Vidyavihar stations.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw is likely to announce the services at a public event at BKC on Friday. In September 2024, when questioned about AC local trains, Vaishnaw had told mid-day that the plan had been stranded as NCP leader Sharad Pawar had opposed the plan and Mumbaikars needed to come together, form an opinion and get the AC locals that they want.