PUNE: Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi recently announced that Jan Shatabdi Express would run between Pune and Belgaum.
However, railway officials said it is not feasible as there is no maintenance workshop in Belgaum and the train will run during odd hours. However, the officials sent a detailed report for further proceedings.
Suresh Angadi is a MP from Belgaum in the 17th Lok Sabha. As per the report, he was in Belgaum recently. He said Jan Shatabdi Express would run between Pune and Belgaum.
However, a new train for this route is being demanded for long.
Several passengers from Belgaum reside in Pune and visit their hometown.
A highly placed source from Central Railway said running a Jan Shatabdi is not a big issue. There is only one issue, which can be solved after a maintenance workshop is set up in Belgaum. Belgaum is a small station and currently has no maintenance workshop.
Running a Jan Shatabdi needs a maintenance workshop at both start and end points. The workshop is there in Pune but not in Belgaum.
The officer said that if Jan Shatabdi, for example, develops a snag such as in the air conditioning system or water supply is not working, it cannot be solved in Belgaum. It will only be reparied in Pune.
However, less number of passengers visit Belgaum.
Besides, if the train starts, it will run during odd hours. Jan Shatabdi Express is a high-speed train. It is affordable to the common man. “The top-speed of Jan Shatabdi trains is 140 km/hr with an average of 70 km/hr. It returns back on the same day of start station. It will take five hours to reach Miraj and then three hours to Belgaum. If we start the train, it will depart at odd hours such as 4.30 am or 5 am and arrive in Belgaum at 1 pm. The train will depart from Belgaum at 3 pm and arrive in Pune at 11 or 11.30 pm,” said the officer.
However, the detailed report has been sent to the Railway Board for further proceedings. The railway minister has announced it, which means the train will start. But the Railway Board needs to develop Belgaum station properly, a senior officer said.
Railway Pravasi Group President Harsha Shah said, “Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi announcement to start Jan Shatabdi Express is a welcome step. It is a long pending demand.”
