Maval Member of Parliament, Shrirang Barne, has taken a proactive step to address the needs of students, daily commuters, and especially women who rely on the railway for their transportation. He has urged senior railway officials to introduce local train services to and from Lonavala during the afternoon hours to alleviate the inconveniences faced by passengers.
This message was conveyed during a recent departmental meeting with senior railway authorities. Currently, there is a noticeable gap in local train services between 10 am and 3 pm, a time frame that often poses difficulties for passengers, especially students and women. In response, MP Shrirang Barne has directed the railway department to introduce local train services during this period.
The meeting was conducted by the Pune and Solapur divisions of Central Railway on Saturday, the 14th, and attended by several esteemed individuals, including other MPs and high-ranking railway officials.
During the meeting, MP Shrirang Barne also reviewed ongoing railway station development projects within the Maval Lok Sabha jurisdiction, emphasizing the importance of timely project completion to enhance passenger services.
Currently, the gap in local train services during the midday hours has been a source of concern, with the last train departing from Lonavala station at 10:05 a.m., followed by a five-hour service hiatus until the next local train departs at 02:50 p.m. This situation has caused inconveniences for students traveling from areas like Vadgaon, Kanhe, Kamshet, and Malvali for educational purposes, as well as citizens commuting for various jobs.
The extended waiting time at railway stations raises concerns about accidents and inappropriate activities, which could potentially disrupt students’ education. MP Shrirang Barne has emphasized the urgency of introducing local train services during this midday period. While maintenance work has been cited as the reason for the service gap, MP Barne has proposed alternative scheduling for maintenance activities.
In addition to addressing the local train service issue, MP Shrirang Barne has secured approval for the construction of a railway flyover at Kanhe Phata. However, challenges related to land acquisition have arisen, prompting MP Barne to recommend a joint meeting between the Railway Department and the State Government to resolve these issues. He has also instructed the railway department to expedite the commencement of the underground line at Vadgaon.
Furthermore, proposals are underway to resume the Sahyadri Express, with plans to include a halt at Talegaon station. Technical evaluations are ongoing to potentially add a halt at Talegaon for the Sinhagad Express. The Pune-Bhusawal-Pune train, previously discontinued, is set to have a halt at Talegaon upon its resumption.
Numerous railway stations, including Talegaon, Akurdi, Dehurod, and Chinchwad, have actively 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 ongoing across these stations, with special facilities being developed for disabled passengers. Ongoing projects include Cover Over Sheds, Circulating Areas, and Station Beautification, further enhancing the railway infrastructure between Dapodi and Lonavala.
