Minister's Train Ride Criticized for Timing

Maharashtra’s Minister of Women and Child Development, Aditi Sunil Tatkare, embarked on a local train journey from Kasara to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Friday, aiming to gain firsthand insight into the daily challenges faced by commuters. The minister boarded the train at 4:16 PM, but her initiative quickly drew backlash on social media, where users questioned the effectiveness of her timing. The criticism intensified after the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Central Railways Mumbai division shared photographs of Tatkare’s trip on the platform "X" (formerly Twitter). Many netizens pointed out that her journey did not reflect the realities of peak commuting hours. One user, @sam_mathew80, suggested that the minister should travel during the morning rush to better understand the struggles of daily commuters, particularly in securing a seat. Others echoed this sentiment, urging the minister to experience travel during high-traffic times at major stations like Dadar, Ghatkopar, Kalyan, and Thane. Rohit Parwani, another social media user, emphasized the importance of engaging with the public during their busiest hours to grasp the true nature of commuter issues. Transport experts noted that the criticism underscores a broader conversation about the necessity for practical and representative measures to address public transportation challenges in Mumbai, highlighting the gap between political initiatives and the realities faced by everyday commuters.