Pune: MP Shrirang Barne Demands Lonavala Local Trains During Afternoon Hours
Lonavala, 15th October 2023: Maval MP Shrirang Barne has pressed upon senior railway officials to enhance the local train services to and from Lonavala during the afternoon hours. The move is aimed at minimizing the inconvenience faced by students and daily commuters, particularly women, who rely on the railway for their transportation needs.
MP Barne conveyed this message during a departmental meeting with senior railway authorities. Currently, there is a significant gap in local train services from 10 am to 3 pm, which poses difficulties for passengers, particularly students and women. To alleviate these concerns, MP Srirang Barane has directed the railway department to initiate local train services during this time frame.
The meeting was conducted by the Pune and Solapur divisions of Central Railway on Saturday, the 14th. In attendance were several esteemed individuals, including MPs Shrinivas Patil, Ranjitsingh Nimbalkar, Jaisiddheshwar Maharaj, Dhairyashil Mane, Sadashiv Lokhande, Omraje Nimbalkar, Vandana Chavan, General Manager Naresh Lalwani, Pune Division Manager Indurani Dubey, Deputy General Manager Ajay Mishra, Sr. Chief Transport Manager Shyam Sundar Gupta, Senior Chief Security Commissioner Ajoya Sadani, and Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Shivraj Manaspure.
MP Srirang Barne took this opportunity to review the ongoing railway station development projects within the Maval Lok Sabha jurisdiction, spanning from Dapodi to Lonavala. He emphasized the need to complete these projects promptly to enhance passenger services.
Currently, there is a long gap in local train services, with the last train leaving Lonavala station at 10.05 a.m., followed by five hours with no local train. Subsequently, the next local departs at 02.50 pm. This situation particularly inconveniences students travelling from areas like Vadgaon, Kanhe, Kamshet, and Malvali for educational purposes and citizens commuting for various jobs.
The prolonged wait at railway stations raises concerns about accidents and inappropriate activities, potentially hindering students’ education. MP Srirang Barane emphasized the urgency of introducing local train services during this midday period. While the railways cite maintenance work as the reason for the gap, MP Barne proposed that these maintenance activities be scheduled at other times.
Approval has been granted for the construction of a railway flyover at Kanhe Phata. However, challenges exist in acquiring the necessary land, prompting MP Barne to suggest a joint meeting between the Railway Department and the State Government to address these issues. He also instructed the railway department to expedite the commencement of the underground line at Vadgaon.
Additionally, proposals have been made to resume the Sahyadri Express, with plans to halt it at Talegaon station. Technical assessments are underway to potentially halt Sinhagad Express to have a halt at Talegaon. The Pune-Bhusawal-Pune train, which was previously closed, will also have a halt at Talegaon upon resumption.
Numerous railway stations, including Talegaon, Akurdi, Dehurod, and Chinchwad, have participated in the Amrit Station scheme, leading to various enhancements such as new footpaths, platform extensions, and improved facilities for disabled passengers. Beautification efforts are underway across these stations, with special facilities being developed for disabled passengers. Ongoing projects include Cover Over Sheds, Circulating Areas, and Station Beautification, further improving the railway infrastructure between Dapodi and Lonavala.
