PUNE: The Pune-Mumbai inter-city train service is expected to resume later this month with the Central Railway authorities looking at the possibility of running two trains in the first phase.
A senior official with the Central Railway said, “One can expect two trains — Deccan Queen and the Deccan Express — to start this month.
After assessing the response, the number of trains will be increased.” The recent relaxations announced by the state government has allowed public transport, like buses, to operate.
The inter-city trains were suspended last month because of low passenger traffic.
The senior railway official said, “The passenger traffic on inter-city trains was disappointing and so they were suspended.
The trains would resume if the passenger traffic is good.” Atish Golwarkar, a private firm employee, “My office is in Mumbai and I have been called to work from next week.
In the absence of trains, I shall have to travel either by MSRTC bus or my own car.
Both options are expensive.” Jagdish Natare, a regular Pune-Mumbai commuter, said, “The rail authorities should seriously consider starting the inter-city train services.” An official from the Pune railway division said, “As far as local trains from Pune are concerned, the government needs to give permission.
The decision on the inter-city trains comes from the higher-ups in the Railway Board.”