Pune-Kolhapur Daily Express Starts August 20

The Pune-Kolhapur-Pune special train will now operate as a regular daily service from August 20, providing greater convenience to traders, employees and other passengers travelling between the two cities.

Central Railway has approved the conversion of special train numbers 01023/01024 into regular services numbered 11419/11420, to be operated as the Pune-Kolhapur Express.

Train No. 11419 will depart from Pune at 9.40 pm every day from August 20 and reach Kolhapur at 5.08 am the following morning. In the return direction, Train No. 11420 will leave Kolhapur at 9.50 pm and arrive in Pune at 5.10 am the next day.

The train will stop at 18 stations, including Saswad Road, Jejuri, Nira, Lonand, Wathar, Satara, Koregaon, Rahimatpur, Targaon, Masur, Karad, Takari, Kirloskarwadi, Bhilwadi, Sangli, Miraj, Jaysingpur, Hatkanangale, Rukadi and Vilawade.

The regular service will comprise one AC two-tier coach, four AC three-tier coaches, seven sleeper coaches, four general second-class coaches, one second-class-cum-guard brake van and one generator car.

Central Railway has advised passengers to check the updated timetable and stoppages on the official railway website or through the NTES app. Tickets can also be booked through the RailOne app.

Passengers have been asked to take note of the change in train numbers.

Meanwhile, passengers from western Maharashtra have renewed their demand for the immediate restoration of the Sahyadri Express, which previously connected Kolhapur with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai.

The service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and has not been restored even after regular train services resumed. Passengers say the continued closure has caused inconvenience to people travelling between Kolhapur and Mumbai, particularly those travelling for work and business.

Passenger groups have urged Central Railway to restart the Sahyadri Express at the earliest. They have also warned of a strong agitation, including a possible rail roko, if the demand is not addressed.

The development of a daily Pune-Kolhapur service has been welcomed by passengers, but travellers from western Maharashtra continue to press for a direct rail connection between Kolhapur and Mumbai.

This new daily service is expected to benefit thousands of passengers who travel between Pune and Kolhapur for work, education and other purposes. The increased frequency of trains will provide more options for passengers and help to reduce congestion on the existing trains.

However, the demand for the restoration of the Sahyadri Express highlights the need for better rail connectivity between Kolhapur and Mumbai. The Sahyadri Express was a popular train among passengers, and its suspension has caused significant inconvenience to those who rely on it for their daily commute.

It remains to be seen whether Central Railway will heed the demands of passengers and restore the Sahyadri Express. For now, the introduction of the daily Pune-Kolhapur Express is a welcome move that will provide greater convenience to passengers travelling between the two cities.

The introduction of this new daily service is a significant development for the region, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. With the increased frequency of trains, businesses and industries in the region are likely to benefit from improved connectivity.

In conclusion, the Pune-Kolhapur Daily Express is a welcome addition to the rail network, and it is expected to benefit thousands of passengers who travel between Pune and Kolhapur. However, the demand for the restoration of the Sahyadri Express highlights the need for better rail connectivity between Kolhapur and Mumbai.