Pune, 19th Oct 2023: Commuters in Pune are eagerly awaiting potential improvements to the local train service as railway authorities are contemplating an increase in the frequency of trains during the afternoon hours. This move comes after assurances from the railway headquarters to allow trains to operate during the midday corridor.
Currently, the local train service connecting Pune Railway Station and Lonavala faces interruptions from 11:15 am to 3 pm daily, with a similar closure affecting the route from Lonavala to Pune between 10 am and 2:50 pm. This has posed challenges for commuters traveling between Pune and Lonavala, including those heading to Talegaon, forcing them to rely on road transportation. This not only elongates their travel time but also escalates expenses.
Students, in particular, have been significantly impacted, as their college schedules often span early morning to the afternoon. After classes, many students face lengthy waits of 2 to 3 hours before local train services resume, leaving them stranded.
In the past, railway authorities have received numerous requests from daily commuters for the introduction of afternoon local train services to address these concerns. However, the implementation of such a service was contingent on a green signal from the railway headquarters in Mumbai.
Officials have now indicated that the railway headquarters has given the green light to operate trains during the midday corridor, which paves the way for the expansion of local train services during these crucial hours. Commuters hope this change will lead to increased convenience and efficiency in their daily travels.
