2 Nanded-Mum trains bypassing Sambhajinagar anger activists

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Amid public outcry over the poor rail connectivity between Marathwada and Mumbai, the South Central Railway (SCR) has announced two new weekly trains to the state capital from Nanded.The route of these trains, however, has bypassed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and both trains will pass via Akola, drawing angry reactions from the passenger activists. Railway activist Raj Somani said half-a-dozen trains to Mumbai from Chatrapati Sambhajinagar invariably witness huge rush with long waiting lists."It is highly objectionable that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is being left out while announcing new trains to Mumbai. We were expecting at least one of the 2 weekly trains to pass from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar," he said.Another railway activist, Gautam Nahata, said elected representatives from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar must raise their voice against alleged injustice caused towards passengers of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar."None of the existing trains to Mumbai originates from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These trains already witness considerable ticket bookings from previous stations. To cite an example, many passengers even cannot board Tapovan Express from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In such a scenario, it is outrageous that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is sidelined while declaring new trains to Mumbai," he said.When contacted, SCR officials said the Railway Board takes the call on introduction of new trains based on the demands from passengers."There was huge demand for trains to Mumbai covering Nanded and Akola among other stations. The passenger feedback on new trains to Mumbai via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will be conveyed to the Railway Board," chief publicity inspector of SCR (Nanded division) Rajesh Shinde said.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat could not be reached for comments. Gangapur BJP MLA Prashant Bamb and former Rajya Sabha member of BJP Bhagwat Karad were also unavailable for their take on the outrage of the passenger activists.