Experimental halts given to four trains that run in Pune division have been extended up to December 31, 2013. The railway administration recently announced extension of experimental halts after demand from local commuters. Of the four trains, one departs from Pune station, two from Kolhapur and one from Pandharpur.
The Pune-Manmad-Pune express (11025/11026) has been given an experimental a halt at Chinchwad station, while Kolhapur-Tirupati-Kolhapur (17415/17416) express and Bangalore-Kolhapur-Bangalore (16589/16590) Rani Chennama express have been given halts at Hatkanangale station. The CST-Pandharpur-CST (51027/51028) fast passenger train has been given a stoppage at Kedgaon up to December 31, 2013. The railway administration has said that the decision to extend the period of stoppages will benefit commuters.
The commuter groups in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad however have demanded a stoppage for Pune-Manmad-Pune express at Shivajinagar station. The commuters have said that additional stoppage at Shivajinagar will benefit hundreds of daily travelers including students and office goers who get down at Shivajinagar. At present, the train halts only at Chinchwad, after it departs from Pune station. A stoppage would help increase occupancy of this train, said commuter groups.
The railway authorities had recently announced similar stoppages for the Mumbai-Pune Intercity express at Shivajinagar station.
