They say local trains are the lifeline of Bombay( I like to call it Bombay and not Mumbai).I beg to differ. Local trains are like the deposits of cholestrol in the arteries of Bombay or probably like second-hand pacemakers. They seem so ancient that it appears the paan stained and ridiculously filthy coaches will fall apart any moment or rather the roof would fall on your head and yes there have been instances where it was impossible to sit inside the train because water was seeping down the roof and some lame person had decided to have a hearty lunch on the berth and very conviently decided not to clean it.
The local trains of Bombay are like dog vans in the peak hours.I still like to believe that the latter is much more comfortable. At certain major stations like Dadar etc, one gets pushed in with the crowd and gets pushed out of the train with the crowd.Wearing sandals is a big NO because by the end of the journey one's toes are sure to get mutilated. And do not expect a sorry because even the slightest groan could send cause tempers to flare up and subject you to the choicest of abuses, half of which you wouldnt even understand. The best option is to wear your earphones and try thinking of the pleasant things in life. Sadly, just as you are about to do that you see millions of people defecating in the open.You most definitely cannot ignore the stench emanating from the stretch between Bandra and Mahim.
You can try looking around but all that you see is the extremely obscence graffiti on the walls and the seats of the coaches. There are plenty of advertisements too saying "Pan card dhamaka offer" and some other random advertisements for Piles clinics, black magic and fashion designing institutes.
Local trains are probably India's biggest market on the move. You can buy anything ranging from handkerchiefs, cosmetics,linen, jewellery, stationery and books in a local train. And your bargaining skills are put to great test.
The local trains of Bombay are the biggest levellers. You cannot help but sit next to a fisherwoman who is still reeking of fish or sit four on a seat meant for three.Or have kids almost pouncing on you because they have come to Bombay for the first time and they still like to believe that it is the city of dreams.
Sadly reality hits one real hard.
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