This story is from April 17, 2016

Local commuter footfall up by 14 lakh in a year

AnoopPIC by ShyamPune: The expansion of industries in the Talegaon-Chakan belt and a phenomenal rise in educational and residential activities in Pimpri Chinchwad has increased the footfall of daily passengers in Lonavla-bound suburban trains in the last one year.
Local commuter footfall up by 14 lakh in a year
Pune: The expansion of industries in the Talegaon-Chakan belt and a phenomenal rise in educational and residential activities in Pimpri Chinchwad have increased the footfall of daily passengers in Lonavla-bound suburban trains in the last one year.
Over 14 lakh more passengers (total 3.53 crore) travelled in local trains in 2015-16 as compared to the previous year, an overall rise of 4.3%.
Most passengers include people working in industrial areas in Talegaon-Chakan area, officer-goers from Pimpri Chinchwad and students of nearby educational institutes.
Experts say that people have shown preference for Talegaon for second home. In addition, a number of industries have come up in the region. Akurdi and adjecent areas house many educational institutes, which has given a boost to residential activities. Vijay Raut, who lives in Akurdi, and is a frequent traveller in local trains, said, "Akurdi was a small station till a few years back. Now, look at the number of people waiting to board the local train and you will get an idea about the growth in this area," Raut said.
Local train has also emerged as a cheaper and convenient means of travel. Experts say a round trip between Shivajinagar and Talegaon stations costs Rs 20 for an adult as against a road journey in a bus which can cost anything between Rs 80 and Rs 100. A train takes about 45 minutes to cover the one-way trip to Talegaon, whereas the bus covers the same distance in a minimum of one and half hour.
Swanand Kulkarni, who recently shifted from Pune to Talegaon, said he finds train journey comfortable and affordable. "I work in Pune, but I have chose Talegaon to stay. Since my work timings are fixed, it is easy for me to travel to Pune and back home in a local train. I am spending less on travel besides it is safe and congestion-free travel," Kulkarni said.
Vishal Mhatre, a student of engineering, is another frequent passenger up to Akurdi. "I have almost stopped using my bike to go to the college in Akurdi. I prefer local train. The travel is easy and affordable. I park my bike near Akurdi station which allows me to travel in train up to Pune," Mhatre said.

A railway official said, "An increase of 4.30% in passenger numbers is significant. The trains carried over 14 lakh additional passengers, which means over 1.16 lakh passengers more passengers every month and at least 4,000 more passengers every day." The daily footfall of local trains is above 98,000 and it is likely to cross the one lakh mark by the end of current year.
The railways operate about 44 trips of local trains on the Pune-Talegaon-Lonavla route daily every day.. The trains cover 14 major stations including Shivajinagar, Chinchwad, Pimpri, Talegaon, Akurdi and Dehu Road. During rush hours, trains run at an interval of one hour. In non-rush hours, like afternoon and night, a train is available after every one and half hours.
Passengers want train every 30 minutes
The daily passengers, however, are not impressed with the increase in footfall. They want the railways to increase the frequency of local trains. Rashmi Agharkar, who has a second home in Talegaon, said it is the need of time. "Otherwise, very soon the situation will be like Mumbai local trains where people hardly get space to stand," said Rashmi.
Hemant Tapale of the Pune-Mumbai Pravasi Sangh said the railway authorities should provide a train every half an hour to check passenger load. "Additional trains would also mean more income for the railways," said Tapale.
On his recent visit to Pune division, general manager of Central Railway S K Sood hinted at procuring additional rakes for the Pune-Lonavla section. The rakes would arrive in a few months, he had said.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA