Source – https://m.timesofindia.com/city/aurangabad/better-aurangabad-mumbai-railway-connectivity-sought/amp_articleshow/103003481.cms
Publisher – The Times of India
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Railway
activists are demanding more trains from Aurangabad to Mumbai as the route electrification work has been completed till Manmad.
Currently, there are five trains to Mumbai from Aurangabad that forever remains overcrowded due to long waiting list.
Railway activist Gautam Nahata said the Jalna-Mumbai Jan Shatabdi Express is the only train that runs from Aurangabad station during the morning hours.
“To begin with, the railway authorities must consider starting Manmad-Mumbai Panchvati Express from Aurangabad station. The train can be slotted to run around a couple of hours before the 9.20am departure timing of the Jan Shatabdi Express,” he said.
Tapovan Express (2.35 pm), Nandigram Express (9.30 pm), Devgiri Express (11.25 pm) and Rajya Rani Express (2.55 am) are other trains that run between Aurangabad station and Mumbai.
Raj Somani, another railway activist, said each of the five trains connecting Aurangabad to Mumbai invariably witnesses long list of wait-listed passengers.
“Two out of five Mumbai-bound trains originate outside Maharashtra, leading to overcrowding. The railway authorities must consider a couple of express trains originating from Marathwada to Mumbai,” he said.
The electrification of rail lines helps in improving the average speed of the trains. Hence, more trains can be introduced due to the enhancement of sectional capacity. At present, the electrification work has already covered the Manmad-Aurangabad-Jalna stretch.
Public relations officer for Nanded division of the South Central Railway (SCR) Rajesh Shinde said the feasibility study for extending Panchvati Express could be carried out in response to the demands from the passenger community. “The Central Railway has to take a final call on increasing the frequency of trains to Mumbai. The related demand is denied due to saturation of trains on tracks heading towards Mumbai,” he said.
Meanwhile, Central Railway authorities could not be reached for their comments.
