Pune: Infrastructure development, introduction and extension of trains and issues concerning passenger amenities at various stations under Pune railway division of Central Railway (CR) came up for discussion at a meeting of the 15-member Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) held at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office on Tuesday.
The members has raised the issue of passengers amenities in different station. They also demanded starting of a train from Kolhapur to Mumbai and Vadodara. They also demanded starting a new train from Pune to Amritsar and to provide halt at Talegaon, operate a new local train between Pune, Karjat and Mumbai. They also demanded to build a museum at Pune junction, place a coach indicator board in Sangli and increase the frequency of local trains between Pune and Talegaon.
Addressing the meeting, Divisional Railway Manager Milind Deouskar, spoke about the various development works, activities, and passenger amenities being provided in the Pune division.
“Work is being done at a speedy pace for passengers’ safety. Steps are being taken to strengthen the tracks and the signal system. Recently, a 24-bed retiring room and a new Foot Over Bridge (FOB) has been started in Kolhapur. Apart from this, two new full-length platforms have been built to accommodate more trains. Work on the installation of five new escalators at Pune station is in progress,” he said.
“A modern toilet block has been started near the second entry gate. An additional AC waiting hall on platform number 1 has been made available for the passengers. Lighting arrangement has been improved at Pune station. The length of the platforms between Pune and Lonavla is being increased, which will help in movement of passengers. The construction of a new line for local trains at Shivajinagar station has been taken up, which will be completed by June,” he said.
“The work of two escalators and another toilet in Pimpri station is in the final stages. A new foot over bridge in Chinchwad will be ready by May. The work for a new FOB has been taken up at Patas station. It will be ready in the next six months. Electrification work of Daund-Baramati section is in full swing. Electrification work on Miraj-Kolhapur section will be completed by March,” Deouskar said.
Deouskar, who is also the committee chairman, presided over the meeting. Several senior officials of the division, including Additional Divisional Railway Manager Praful Chandra and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Krishnath Patil, were also present.
