India’s Western Railway Reopens Lifts, Escalators, Gates

With increases in passengers, Western Railway in India is opening more lifts and escalators, as well as entry and exit gates, The Free Press Journal reported on August 24. With daily passenger counts between 1.3 million and 1.5 million on Mumbai’s 60-km Churchgate-Virar route, the Railway has decided to open 22 more gates, and also to make all elevators and escalators operational. The actions increased the number of open gates by 52%, but officials planned to keep the rest of the gates closed to improve access control. Between August 11 and 22, more than 92,000 monthly season tickets were sold. All of the route’s 66 escalators and 24 elevators are now open to the public.