News / Author / Shashank Rao

Shashank Rao

Articles by Shashank Rao

Metro to be built at twice the speed

Maharashtra's metro network in MMR to expand to 50km/year, with new lines operational before car sheds completion, boosting ridership significantly.

Mumbai

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 07:18 AM IST

BySurendra P Gangan, Shashank Rao

RTO slams the brakes on motorists racing each other, rash driving

MUMBAI: RTOs to impound vehicles and suspend licences on the spot for racing and rash driving during Road Safety Month, following a recent accident.

Mumbai

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 06:42 AM IST

ByShashank Rao, Vinay Dalvi

CR to introduce speed governors in Ghat sections to enhance efficiency

Mumbai's Central Railway plans to install Speed Sensing Devices on steep ghat sections to improve train punctuality and safety, reducing delays.

Mumbai

Updated on Jan 04, 2025 08:49 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Mumbai’s railway stations defy space crunch, add 147 acres of vertical space

The project, launched in February 2024 and costing an estimated ₹947 crore, is seeing the construction of massive elevated decks above railway platforms

Elevated spaces will allow commuters to reach the platforms from any entry or exit point and reduce the pressure on FOBs

Mumbai

Updated on Jan 02, 2025 09:17 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Western Railway services delayed as sleepers get an upgrade

WR said this is part of an initiative to replace the sleepers along the entire length of track from Churchgate to Virar, and Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi route

WR is using the rail grinding machine to remove rail surface abnormalities and prevent premature fractures and cracks

Mumbai

Updated on Jan 01, 2025 09:24 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Sensors to counter frequent escalator stoppage at Mumbai railway stations

Sensors that can be used to restart escalators remotely will be installed on all the 164 escalators on these routes over the first two months of 2025

The process of restarting escalators takes 25-30 minutes now, said officials (HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 31, 2024 09:08 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

CR plan to avert delays: End some inter-state trains at Kalyan/Panvel

The idea is the brainchild of CR’s outgoing divisional railway manager (Mumbai) Rajneesh Goyal, who was transferred on Friday, but during his tenure worked towards decongesting Mumbai’s suburban network and stations

Railway passenger associations edmanded for Kalyan and Panvel station to be transformed into terminuses (Bachchan Kumar / HT PHOTO)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 30, 2024 06:56 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

RTOs receive interceptor vehicles, but without radars

State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik was supposed to induct them into the fleet during the road safety week

RTO flying squads across the state currently have 187 interceptors – all Mahindra Scorpios, with cameras and speed guns mounted at the back of the vehicle, in place of the rear seat. (Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 28, 2024 06:22 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Infra upswing in 2025: How Mumbai will be transformed in the new year

Mumbaikars can expect a new airport, enhanced metro routes, bus and local train services as well as a long-overdue municipal corporation elections

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 27, 2024 04:52 PM IST

ByAteeq Shaikh, Shashank Rao, Sabah Virani

RTO to fix high-security registration plates in 20 million vehicles in 3 months

MUMBAI: The transport department aims to install high-security registration plates on 20 million vehicles in three months to curb thefts.

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 27, 2024 06:56 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Row-wise dustbins to be installed soon in trains leaving Mumbai

Central Railway introduces dustbins next to every row in long-distance trains to improve cleanliness, with trials ongoing and positive feedback reported.

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 26, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Rare engineering move saves Vande Bharat from technical jam

A technical glitch inspired some smart reverse engineering by the Central Railway (CR) to get the Madgaon-bound Vande Bharat back on track on Monday. It was an unusual solution that not only saved time but prevented a massive pile-up of trains on the busy route

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 24, 2024 08:40 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Historical rail bridge to be dismantled to pave way for concrete girder

Bridge number 20 over Mithi river in Bandra, which has been holding the rail tracks together since 1888, will be replaced by a cement concrete girder

The bridge is a key link between the city and stations like CSMT. (HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 21, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Commuters urge WR not to curb AC services

MUMBAI: Commuters urge Western Railway to maintain AC train services despite political pressure, citing high demand and full capacity during peak hours.

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 20, 2024 08:52 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Mumbai transport: BEST buses have caused 173 deaths in a decade

The recent Kurla bus accident highlights safety concerns, with 173 deaths in 1,970 BEST bus accidents over the last decade, despite a decline in incidents

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 18, 2024 08:54 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Why BEST trainers find it a challenge to train wet-lease drivers

Most of the wet-lease drivers are used to driving heavy vehicles, which is why it takes a while to familiarise them with driving public buses responsibly

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 18, 2024 08:52 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Mumbai transport: BEST to add 1,300 e-buses to its fleet

Mumbai's BEST will soon add 1,300 electric buses to its fleet as part of a plan for 3,500 e-buses, amid safety concerns following recent accidents.

Currently, the transport body’s fleet comprises 2,913 buses, of which 1,900 are on wet-lease contract(HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 17, 2024 08:13 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Major outage paralyses parts of CR, services disrupted until noon

A power outage on Central Railway in Mumbai halted trains for up to 30 minutes, disrupting services and causing commuter chaos until noon.

The power supply lines between Kalyan-Igatpuri and Kalyan-Lonavala were disrupted due to a fire at the Thakurli-Chole Power House, which supplies electricity to these railway sections. Photo by Pramod Tambe

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 06:20 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Aaditya performs Maha Aarti at temple, Sena (UBT)-BJP workers clash outside Dadar station

After recent elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) revisits Hindutva, opposing a demolition notice for a Hanuman temple, sparking conflict with BJP leaders.

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 06:16 AM IST

BySaurabha Kulshreshtha, Shashank Rao

Fresh problem for BEST as wet lease operator’s drivers stop work

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is embroiled in a fresh problem after drivers of wet lease operator, Switch Mobility Ltd, unhappy over their salaries, have stopped working. In the last four days, BEST officials said, around 60 odd drivers did not report to work

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 05:06 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

BEST services resume in Kurla 4 days after crash that killed 7, injured 42

BEST services resumed near Kurla station after a four-day suspension, now operating smaller buses under police protection amid ongoing investigations.

The crash occurred on Monday. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo)(Hindustan Times)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 14, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Kurla accident: Will develop SOP for all wet-lease bus operators: BEST GM

Anil Diggikar said there was no fault in the electric wet-lease bus involved in the Kurla crash, but opened up on various issues plaguing the undertaking

Will develop thorough SOP for all wet-lease bus operators: BEST general manager

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 12, 2024 08:59 AM IST

ByYogesh Naik, Shashank Rao

12-mt bus not to ply on congested roads: BEST

BEST will allow buses up to 9 mts in congested areas post-Kurla accident, addressing safety and space issues amid auto rickshaw congestion.

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 12, 2024 05:21 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Kurla accident: BEST driver was not trained to drive high-powered e-bus

Sanjay More, 54, the BEST driver who has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder by police for ramming into 22 vehicles

A BEST contractual driver left a trail of destruction after hitting a speed breaker and then pressing the accelerator instead of the brakes. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 11, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByShashank Rao, Vinay Dalvi

Rail welding begins for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project in Gujarat

The project utilises 25-metre rails imported from Japan, which are joined using advanced fusion welding machines to create 200-metre rail panels

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 02:27 PM IST

ByShashank Rao

BEST curtails several bus routes after Kurla accident that killed 6, injured 43

According to BEST sources, driver Sanjay More, approximately 45 years old, allegedly lost control of the bus, leading to the accident

The transport authority has suspended all bus services to Kurla railway station. (PTI)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 10:48 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

BEST suspends rollout of smart meters

The installation of the Adani Group’s prepaid smart meters in the island city of Mumbai has been opposed by the Sena (UBT) on grounds that they were leading to inflated power bills

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Andheri RTO issues 113 e-challans to errant auto drivers

Around 44% of the offences were registered outside Bandra railway station, one of the busiest transit points in the city

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 09, 2024 07:24 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

FOB, escalators, deck: Phase 1 of Ghatkopar railway station revamp complete

Ghatkopar is among 17 stations in in the city which are being refurbished by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC)

The revamp is meant to ease congestion on platforms, among other things.. (Arijit Sen/HT photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 09, 2024 09:04 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

WR unveils new plan for hoardings

WR will place hoardings on the fencing between rail tracks at the stations in Mumbai Central, Lower Parel, Khar, Andheri, Dadar, Mahalakshmi, Vile Parle, Grant Road, Marine Lines, Mira Road, Santacruz, Borivali, Goregaon, Ram Mandir, Dahisar, Bhayandar, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Vasai, Naigaon and Nallasopara

Mumbai

Updated on Dec 07, 2024 07:10 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

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Shashank Rao

Maharashtra's metro network in MMR to expand to 50km/year, with new lines operational before car sheds completion, boosting ridership significantly.

MUMBAI: RTOs to impound vehicles and suspend licences on the spot for racing and rash driving during Road Safety Month, following a recent accident.

Mumbai's Central Railway plans to install Speed Sensing Devices on steep ghat sections to improve train punctuality and safety, reducing delays.

The project, launched in February 2024 and costing an estimated ₹947 crore, is seeing the construction of massive elevated decks above railway platforms

WR said this is part of an initiative to replace the sleepers along the entire length of track from Churchgate to Virar, and Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi route

Sensors that can be used to restart escalators remotely will be installed on all the 164 escalators on these routes over the first two months of 2025

The idea is the brainchild of CR’s outgoing divisional railway manager (Mumbai) Rajneesh Goyal, who was transferred on Friday, but during his tenure worked towards decongesting Mumbai’s suburban network and stations

State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik was supposed to induct them into the fleet during the road safety week

Mumbaikars can expect a new airport, enhanced metro routes, bus and local train services as well as a long-overdue municipal corporation elections

MUMBAI: The transport department aims to install high-security registration plates on 20 million vehicles in three months to curb thefts.

Central Railway introduces dustbins next to every row in long-distance trains to improve cleanliness, with trials ongoing and positive feedback reported.

A technical glitch inspired some smart reverse engineering by the Central Railway (CR) to get the Madgaon-bound Vande Bharat back on track on Monday. It was an unusual solution that not only saved time but prevented a massive pile-up of trains on the busy route

Bridge number 20 over Mithi river in Bandra, which has been holding the rail tracks together since 1888, will be replaced by a cement concrete girder

MUMBAI: Commuters urge Western Railway to maintain AC train services despite political pressure, citing high demand and full capacity during peak hours.

The recent Kurla bus accident highlights safety concerns, with 173 deaths in 1,970 BEST bus accidents over the last decade, despite a decline in incidents

Most of the wet-lease drivers are used to driving heavy vehicles, which is why it takes a while to familiarise them with driving public buses responsibly

Mumbai's BEST will soon add 1,300 electric buses to its fleet as part of a plan for 3,500 e-buses, amid safety concerns following recent accidents.

A power outage on Central Railway in Mumbai halted trains for up to 30 minutes, disrupting services and causing commuter chaos until noon.

After recent elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) revisits Hindutva, opposing a demolition notice for a Hanuman temple, sparking conflict with BJP leaders.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is embroiled in a fresh problem after drivers of wet lease operator, Switch Mobility Ltd, unhappy over their salaries, have stopped working. In the last four days, BEST officials said, around 60 odd drivers did not report to work

BEST services resumed near Kurla station after a four-day suspension, now operating smaller buses under police protection amid ongoing investigations.

Anil Diggikar said there was no fault in the electric wet-lease bus involved in the Kurla crash, but opened up on various issues plaguing the undertaking

BEST will allow buses up to 9 mts in congested areas post-Kurla accident, addressing safety and space issues amid auto rickshaw congestion.

Sanjay More, 54, the BEST driver who has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder by police for ramming into 22 vehicles

The project utilises 25-metre rails imported from Japan, which are joined using advanced fusion welding machines to create 200-metre rail panels

According to BEST sources, driver Sanjay More, approximately 45 years old, allegedly lost control of the bus, leading to the accident

The installation of the Adani Group’s prepaid smart meters in the island city of Mumbai has been opposed by the Sena (UBT) on grounds that they were leading to inflated power bills

Around 44% of the offences were registered outside Bandra railway station, one of the busiest transit points in the city

Ghatkopar is among 17 stations in in the city which are being refurbished by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC)

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