Two New Escalators In Service At Mumbai Suburbs

Western Railway has opened service to two new escalators at stations in Virar and Kandivali, a pair of Mumbai suburbs, The Free Press Journal reported in December. The escalators were provided to Platform No. 3/4 at the Virar station and No. 2/3 of Kandivali at a cost of about INR10 million (US$131,535) apiece. They each can carry 900 passengers per h, and offer immediate help to riders who are elderly, pregnant and those with children. Western Railway says the new units bring passengers safety and faster station access. Officials say the rail has 74 escalators in the Mumbai area, including 69 in suburban areas, and an additional 22 units will be built over the next year.