London Mayor enjoys train ride in Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 21 (UNI) Rubbing shoulders with the commuters of Mumbai's lifeline, visiting London Mayor Ken Livingstone enjoyed a suburban train ride from Bandra to Churchgate here today.

The Mayor, accompanied by senior officials from the Western Railway and media persons including a battery of TV crew, arrived at the Bandra station to catch the Bandra-Churchgate train at 1527 hrs.

''It took us about 10 minutes to get him to platform number five, from where he boarded the train. He was shocked to see the unthinkable crowd. As the crowd waved to him as a gesture of welcome, the Mayor too reciprocated in the same manner,'' a Western Railway official said.

Once inside the first class compartment of the German-made, newly introduced high-tech local train, the Mayor was beseiged with the battery of lensmen and camera persons from print and electronic media, who tried to capture him in their frames from every possible angle.

He also interacted with the Railway officials, and enquired about the number of commuters, services and the on-going plans.

UNI