Journalism of Courage
With the Pune-Nashik-Manmad Intercity Express being extended till Bhusawal,several commuters have been facing inconvenience as they claim that they were not informed of the changes. On Sunday,over a hundred passengers missed the train and were forced to use alternative services.
The trains new route and timings came into effect on Friday. The Up train (11026) will leave Pune at 11.45 am and reach Bhusawal by 10.10 pm. The Down train (11025) will leave Bhusawal 12.25 am and reach Pune at 12.05 pm.
Y K Singh,railway spokesperson,said the authorities had published the timing change in the newspapers.
Meanwhile,there has been a mixed response among the commuters about the change. Some said that it would be useful for passengers from Bhusawal and neighbouring areas. Also,Pune passengers wishing to go to Mumbai will be able to travel on the train till Kalyan. At present,there is no Pune-Mumbai train in the afternoon hours.
Others,however,disapprove of the odd timings and the long route of the train.
Shah said,The journey for the current route (Pune Lonavala-Panvel-Kalyan-Bhusawal) takes around 11 hours. If the route is changed to Pune-Daund-Nagar-Manmad-Bhusawal,it would hardly take seven hours. This way,it would be convenient for commuters, said Shah.
She also questioned the timing of the train. It will leave Bhusawal at 12.25 am. It is bound to run empty at such an odd hour. It would be in the interest of commuters if the train departs from Pune and Bhusaval in the morning, said Shah.
Hemant Tapale,executive president of Pune-Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh said if the train halts at the Shivajinagar and Talegaon stations,more passengers will benefit from the service.
Singh,however,said the change of train timing could be considered at a later stage.
