In a significant development for rail commuters in the Pune Metropolitan Region, the Ministry of Railways has granted approval to the request made by Railway Prawasi Sangh, Pimpri Chinchwad, to initiate a suburban train service between Shivaji Nagar and Lonavala.
According to details disclosed in the approval letter from the Ministry of Railways, dated 10.01.2024, the newly sanctioned suburban train service will be identified as 99838/37 Shivaji Nagar-Lonavala Electric Multiple Unit (EMU). The schedule is outlined as follows:
99838 Shivajinagar – Lonavala EMU:
- Departure from Shivajinagar: 12:05 PM
- Arrival at Lonavala: 12:45 PM
99837 Lonavala – Shivajinagar EMU:
- Departure from Lonavala: 11:30 AM
- Arrival at Shivajinagar: 1:20 PM
The implementation of this new service is expected to commence on a suitable date as advised by the Ministry of Railways. Additionally, the approval mentions the possibility of organizing an inaugural train as a special service, with subsequent link pickups.
In related news, recent protests at the Lonavala railway station disrupted the schedule of trains running between Pune and Mumbai. Local citizens, demanding attention to various issues, staged a demonstration by blocking the railway track and climbing onto the engine of the Deccan Queen, leading to delays and inconvenience for passengers.
