Latest news with #PanchavatiExpress
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Demand for 4 Rajyarani coaches for passengers from Manmad
Nashik: The Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager (Commercial) has urged Central Railway (CR) to earmark four coaches of the Nanded–Mumbai Rajyarani Express exclusively for passengers boarding between Manmad and Mumbai. Responding to growing demand from passengers and representations from elected officials, the Bhusawal division has written to CR headquarters requesting that at least four coaches be made available for booking from Manmad. These bookings would be managed by the Bhusawal division, which cited a significant volume of daily passengers commuting between Manmad, Nashik, and Mumbai. "Given the representation by passengers from Nashik and recommendations from elected representatives, we have requested the CR to take up the issue with the South Central Railway (SCR) for the reservation of the coach, as the train is handled by the Nanded division of the Telangana-based SCR," said a senior officer from the Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager's office. The demand comes in the wake of recent changes by SCR, which decided to remove two general second-class seating coaches from the 17611 Nanded–CSMT Rajyarani Express. As a result, the train will now have only four general seating coaches, with the addition of one sleeper coach and an air-conditioned chair car. These changes are expected to take effect from August 5. The train departs Nanded at 10:00 pm, reaches Nashik at 6:00 am, and arrives in Mumbai at 10:00 am. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo According to railway data, around 100 passengers board from Manmad and approximately 140 from Nashik Road daily with current tickets, in addition to nearly 150 pass-holders. A large share of these are daily commuters and office-goers who rely on the Rajyarani Express to reach offices by 10:30 am, unlike the Panchavati Express, which arrives at CSMT around 10:45 am and is therefore not a feasible option for many. "The occupancy of all general coaches (six existing) of this train combined is 92% from Manmad and 130% from Nashik towards Mumbai. Slashing down the number of coaches by two is going to impact passengers. We have therefore sought the opening of the four coaches from Manmad such that the SCR will issue reservations for those coaches till Manmad only and not beyond. That business will be handled by the Bhusawal Division of CR," the officer added.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Time of India
Pass holders on Panchavati Express choose sleeping on vacant seats in coach over sharing with others
Nashik: Monthly season ticket (MST) pass holders and regular passengers on Manmad–Mumbai–Manmad Panchavati Express have been at loggerheads over seating arrangements. MST holders prefer sleeping on bench seats instead of allowing others to use the designated coaches. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Panchavati Express, an intercity service between Nashik and Mumbai, serves as the primary transport for daily commuters. Without alternative intercity trains at convenient times, Panchavati Express acts as a "lifeline" for Nashik, facilitating daily travel for numerous employees in govt and private sectors. Prashant Kedare, a traveller, said, "While returning home on Tuesday, since the general coaches were full, some of us entered the neighbouring MST coach that was empty. The train heading to Nashik had crossed Wasind railway station. But we were not allowed to enter the coach by the people already there." Although the coach is dedicated to MST holders, passengers can travel in the coach by paying an additional Rs 15 over the regular second class seating ticket. Shilpa Kale, another passenger, added: "MST holders literally push people. The passengers are not allowed to cross the vestibule between the two coaches. The men and women passengers prefer sleeping in the empty coaches rather than allowing us to seat." The Panchavati Express comprises two MST second class coaches and one air-conditioned chair car MST coach. An MST second class pass costs Rs 700 per month for travel between Nashik and Mumbai, compared to the regular fare of Rs 75 per head for a single journey, enabling MST passengers to travel at significantly discounted rates. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kale said, "Yet they do not allow optimal usage of public transport. This has become a daily feature in the MST coach." Rajesh Fokne, the president of Masik Pass Dharak Va Pravasi Welfare Association, Nashik, and former member of the Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee (DRUCC), stated that the number of pass holders on the route exceeds 3,500, prompting the railways to allot a second MST. "Vacant seats should be shared as per the law. We only request priority for MST holders in seating arrangement," Fokne said. Divisional railway manager Ity Pandey acknowledged the high number of MST travellers, saying, "As of now, there is no complaint registered. There were some instances before. We will deploy RPF and travel ticket examiners to probe the case, seek reports from them for action ensuring justice for all railway passengers."
