Diva Passengers Plan Protest for Local Train Services

Diva railway passengers are gearing up for a protest on August 14, expressing frustration over the lack of progress regarding their demand for local train services to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Despite submitting a memorandum with over 10,000 signatures in 2022 to the then Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde and the railway administration, their requests remain unaddressed. The Diva Passengers Association, led by Adesh Bhagat, plans to demonstrate by wearing black ribbons to highlight the increasing congestion at Diva station. In addition to the August 14 protest, the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh has announced a separate agitation scheduled for August 22, accompanied by a five-point demand charter submitted to railway authorities. The association emphasizes that Diva station, which generates a daily revenue of Rs 6.62 lakh, is one of the most congested stations after Thane and Dombivli, yet the railway administration has not taken adequate measures to manage the crowd or prevent potential accidents. A meeting has been scheduled for August 14 between the Divisional Railway Manager of the Central Railway Mumbai Division and passenger associations to discuss these pressing concerns. However, Madhu Kotian, President of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, stated that they would only attend if at least one demand is assured by the railway administration. Additionally, social worker Amol Dhanraj Kendre plans to initiate an 'Amaran Uposhan' (fast unto death) outside Diva Railway Station starting August 16, advocating for local train services originating from Diva to CSMT, a demand that has persisted for over a decade.