Mumbai: Seven years after Central Railway (CR) proposed a Rs 900-crore plan to convert all 12-car rakes to 15-car ones on its fast corridor, the project remains largely unimplemented—even as overcrowding and fatal accidents persist on the Thane–Kalyan–Karjat/Kasara stretch.The push for longer trains gained urgency in 2015 when the Railway Board directed both CR and Western Railway (WR) to draft action plans after viral videos showed passengers falling off packed trains. Also, CR’s argument—that 15-car rakes would reduce speeds from 100 kmph to 90 kmph—slowed progress.Today, CR operates just 22 15-car services, all confined to the CSMT–Kalyan fast corridor. In contrast, WR runs over 210 such services, including on its slow lines. Commuters say the absence of longer trains on CR’s Main line, particularly beyond Kalyan, exacerbates peak-hour chaos.“You can’t expect people to squeeze into 12-car trains forever,” said Pranav Shah, a regular commuter from Ambernath. “If WR can run 15-car trains even on slow lines, what’s stopping CR from doing the same? It’s high time the infrastructure caught up.”WR has steadily expanded its 15-car network, running 97 trains on fast lines and 114 on slow lines (Andheri–Virar). CR faces infrastructural hurdles.“We understand that AC and automatic door closure are long-term goals,” said commuter Sneha Raje, who boards from Titwala. “But in the medium term, CR must expand infrastructure to allow more 15-car trains, especially beyond Kalyan. That alone will make a massive difference in crowding and safety.”A 12-car train carries 3,504 passengers, while a 15-car rake fits 4,380—a 25% reduction in overcrowding per rake, according to a senior CR official, who admitted the progress was sluggish.CR’s blueprint included platform extensions beyond Kalyan, signal adjustments, overhead equipment modifications, and new stabling lines at Ambernath and Badlapur. Yet, stations like Titwala, Asangaon, Ambernath, and Badlapur still lack platform extensions.Officials now argue that new Bombardier rakes eliminate speed concerns, and minor infrastructure tweaks could resolve remaining issues. But with no visible progress on the Kalyan–Karjat/Kasara route, commuters continue to endure dangerous overcrowding.“We’re not asking for miracles,” said Mahesh Jadhav, who travels daily from Badlapur. “Just run more 15-car trains and make the stations ready for them. It’s a basic, urgent need—not a luxury.”