Lonavla-Pune night train to become semi-fast local

PUNE: The Pune Railway Division has decided to convert Train 99833 Lonavla-Pune local to semi-fast local, cutting the travel time by 30 minutes at night. This train will depart at 10.35 pm and reach Pune Junction at 11.40 pm.

The stoppage of this local train in Malavali, Vadgaon, Ghorawadi, Begowdawadi and Khadki stations is being terminated. It is the result of a survey that found out that only two to three passengers out of 60-70 passengers travelling in the entire train board from these stations.

“Earlier, the train was scheduled to arrive at Pune junction at 12.20 am. The railways received complaints from passengers that due to this timing, they are unable to get Mahalaxmi Express for Satara, Karad, Sangli, Miraj and Kolhapur. Similarly, passengers going towards Daund, Solapur, Wadi and Chennai are also unable to get Dadar-Chennai Express,” said spokesperson of Pune Railway Division Manoj Kumar Jhawar.

“To provide better connectivity from Pune Junction for passengers, it was necessary to convert this local train into a semi-fast local with the intention of providing convenience. There is another train, 99835 Lonavla to Pune, which stops at all stations. The change of timing will be applicable only for 15 days on an experimental basis from December 3 to 17,” said Jhawar.

BETTER HEALTH FOR STAFF
- The Pune Railway Board has taken a new initiative aimed at providing better health facilities to railway employees and their families in the Railway Hospital near Pune station. 
- Dialysis facility has been started for kidney patients in the hospital from December 1. 
- A three-year deal has recently been signed between Kothrud Dialysis Center and the Railways. This facility was started by the Pune Divisional Railway Manager Milind Deouskar. 
- In a function to mark the beginning of this facility on December 1, Director of Kothrud Dialysis Center and renowned kidney disease specialist Dr Abhay Sadre, Chief Medical Superintendent Dr MK Ramakrishna, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Prafulla Chandra, Dr Sanjay Athavale, Dr Avinash Ghatge, Dr Pooya Ahuja, Dr AK Mishra and Dr Navin Kumar were also present.