from Ancy Paladka
for Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SM)

Mumbai, Dec 13: Gandhigiri type of protest staged, here in the city,  to urge for more train services was fruitful. More than 30 lac train commuters from Virar-Borivili belt were on strike under the banner of PAAS (Pravasi Adhikar Andolan Samiti) by not traveling on train on Monday December 10.

All the train services went almost empty on that day. Agitators insulted the people who traveled on train by giving roses and sweets. This new form of agitations received lots of appreciation even from the international community.

The Deputy Regional Manager (DRM) of western railways on Wednesday December 12 invited leading members of PAAS to disclose and discuss future plans mainly for the Borivili – Virar sector. The meeting started in a heated argument as the DRM Satyaprakash Shrivastav declared inability in speeding up the process owing to technical snags.

The PAAS representatives made it very clear to the authorities that the people's tolerance was at break point and if the authorities avoid the agitation, it would lead to an uncontrollable situation.

The DRM had no answers for the questions put up by the representatives other than pointing to statistics. The meeting concluded with a promise of allotting 40 new services to the newly-received 3 racks in the next 30 days.

The PAAS representatives expressed their dissatisfaction to this and warned the authorities of staging similar agitations till their demand are not met.