DRUCC Meeting Held to Address Pune Railway Division’s Passenger Needs

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 24th January 2025: A meeting of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of Pune Division was held on January 24, 2025, at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajesh Kumar Verma presided over the meeting, while Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Dr. Milind Hirwe coordinated the proceedings. During the meeting, members shared their suggestions and concerns regarding passenger facilities and problems with the railway administration. DRM Verma assured attendees that appropriate solutions would be implemented.

The meeting was attended by DRUCC members, including Shivnath Biyani, Nandkumar Baburao Patil, Rahul Raman Mutha, Adv. Vinit Vilas Patil, Ruturaj Arjunrao Kale, Ram B. Jogdand, Raj Kumar Nahar, Ranjit Shrigod, Gorakh Haribahau Barhate, and Rafique Latif Khan.

Addressing the gathering, Verma provided a detailed overview of the ongoing initiatives in the Pune Division, including passenger amenities, infrastructure development, and maintenance works. He highlighted efforts to ensure the safe and timely operation of trains, the proper upkeep of railway tracks, and the strengthening of signaling systems.

He reiterated the Pune Railway Administration’s commitment to providing top-notch services to passengers and called on the committee members to collaborate and contribute meaningfully to the railways’ development, the expansion of passenger amenities, and revenue growth.

During the meeting, several proposals and issues were raised by members, including:
Starting a new train service from Pune to Sainagar Shirdi and Sainagar Shirdi to Pandharpur.
Launching a DEMU service from Manmad to Pune.
Introducing stoppages for holiday specials at Belapur station.
Extending the Sahyadri Express to Mumbai.
Providing halts for Train Nos. 11025/11026 (Pune-Amravati) and 11041/11042 (Dadar-Shirdi-Dadar) at Rahuri Railway Station.
Renaming Belapur station to Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Station.
Shifting the Belapur Goods Shed.
Introducing an intercity express between Kolhapur/Belgaum and Pune.
Additionally, Shivnath Biyani was unanimously elected as the ZRUCC (Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee) member during the meeting.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Divisional Commercial Manager Hemant Kumar Behera. Several branch officers were also present on this occasion.