Activist questions operation of some trains

PUNE: The demand to add the extra coaches and run special trains for north India always picks up during the festive seasons, especially during Holi. 

Lakhs of passengers, living in various part of the country, visit their hometowns during this festival and thus, there is a demand to have special trains or extra coaches to trains. The passengers say that due to the inadequate number of coaches and trains, the reservation waiting list scales up to 400 and above. However, considering the demand, the Railways has started a special train for Sawantwadi and Jabalpur for Holi this year. A railway activist claims that running these trains is not fruitful.

As per information by the Railways, a special train 01477/78 Pune-Sawantwadi-Pune will ply from March 19 to 21 to avoid the rush during Holi season. Similarly, Train Number 01655/56 Pune-Jabalpur-Pune has been extended from April 15 to 11 June.

“Running these trains during Holi is not fruitful as running both the trains are not profitable in terms of revenue and passengers. Most of the time, both the trains have a fewer number of passengers. It is better to run the special train for Delhi, Jaipur, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDUJ) and Patna. Running trains for these cities generate huge revenue as they have a good amount of passengers. There is no special train running for these cities. The passengers are booking tickets, although the waiting list has crossed the 400 mark,” said Railway Pravasi Manch President Harsha Shah.

However, a highly placed official from Pune Railway Division, said, “They have already demanded a special train for these cities, but the Railway Board has not taken any interest. They are forcing the officials to run a special train when there is no demand. If the train runs on these routes, load of the passengers on the regular train will automatically reduce.”

If the Railways start the special trains, a large number of passengers will move to this train, as otherwise, they (passengers) have to travel by Jhelum Express and Pune-Patna Superfast Express for Delhi, Patna, Jabalpur, Allahabad and DDUJ.

Shah said, “The Railways can run special trains without any political interference. There are several racks of trains lying. They can use them properly. I have written several letters to Railway Board, DRM and Zonal Manager to start the special trains. But they are not taking it seriously.”