MLA Vikas Kumbhare, NVCC want Duronto operates to stay at main station : Nagpur

Nagpur: The Nagpur division of Central Railway’s decision to operate 12289-90 Nagpur-Mumbai-Nagpur Duronto Express from Ajni has come in for sharp criticism from railway users’ body and public representatives.
BJP MLA from Central Nagpur Vikas Kumbhare said the decision is not in the interest of people, especially traders who prefer this train due to few stoppages and convenient timings. “From Nagpur, it benefits four assembly segments from the city. On Monday, I will submit my representation to the divisional railway manager (DRM),” he said.
“Many traders have complained to me demanding to roll back the train from platform number 8 as earlier. It is convenient for them to reach Santra Market side of the station instead of Ajni where there is always logjam while arriving and boarding the train,” Kumbhare said.
“If the railways wants to operate more trains from Ajni, it should start with passenger trains having less occupancy,” he said.
On Wednesday, president of passenger users’ body Rail Yatri Sangh (RYS) Brijbhushan Shukla submitted a memorandum to DRM Somesh Kumar demanding operation of the train from Nagpur. “Diverting such premium trains from Ajni will not only reduce importance of Nagpur station but is also inconvenient to passengers,” he said in a release.
From February 9, Central Railway suddenly started operating the train from Ajni for three months till May. Due to washable apron work on platform number 1 at the main station, Duronto, which used to run from home platform number 8 on Santra Market side, was temporarily shifted to Ajni from January 8. However, even as work on apron has been completed, the train has been shifted to Ajni.
Shukla said separate DRMs promised to give facelift to Ajni by constructing two more platforms, two pitline FOBs, better passenger amenities etc. However, over the years, Ajni was not developed despite increase in the number of trains.
“Now, plans are afoot to develop Ajni as an inter-model station by ministry of road transport and Central Railway. However, this project will take at least 5 years to complete. Till then, we can’t afford to run premium trains from Ajni,” said Shukla.
Railway committee convener of Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) Pratap Motwani too opposed the move. “The railway officials are citing clashing of Duronto timings with Sevagram Express and other trains, but how far trains are punctual?”
“Ajni station is congested and lacks waiting rooms, proper toilets, food stalls, a necessary ramp, lifts, escalators, security, facility to shift differently abled passengers and sufficient parking. Passengers are facing a lot of problems. We will write to the railways and meet highways minister Nitin Gadkari on the issue,” he added.