Rajya Sabha MP Advocates for Enhanced Rail Connectivity Between Kolhapur and Mumbai
In a significant push for improved railway infrastructure, Rajya Sabha member Dhananjay Mahadik has formally requested the Central Government to introduce a nighttime sleeper Vande Bharat train service operating daily between Kolhapur and Mumbai. This proposal aims to address the growing passenger demand on this crucial route.
Key Demands for Kolhapur-Mumbai Rail Services
Mahadik presented his case in Parliament on Wednesday, highlighting two primary demands to enhance connectivity. Firstly, he called for the existing Vande Bharat Express, which currently runs only three days a week and terminates at Pune, to be extended to Mumbai and operate all seven days. "The Vande Bharat Express should run daily and be extended till Mumbai. For passenger convenience, it should depart from Kolhapur at night and reach Mumbai early morning," Mahadik stated.
Secondly, he pressed for the extension of the Kolhapur-Mumbai Sahyadri Express, which currently functions as a special service limited to Pune, to continue its journey to Mumbai. He emphasized that despite strong passenger demand, train services were reduced during the Covid period and have not been adequately restored.
Addressing Passenger Needs and Regional Growth
Mahadik underscored the heavy two-way passenger movement between Kolhapur and Mumbai daily, citing it as a critical route for commuters traveling for work, business, tourism, and religious purposes. "Increasing the frequency of trains on this route would greatly benefit commuters and contribute to Kolhapur's growth," he added, pointing out that current services remain inadequate to meet the demand.
Parallel Demands from Sangli Advocacy Group
In a related development, a delegation from the Sangli Zilla Nagrik Jagruti Manch met with Central Railway's Pune divisional railway manager, Rajesh Verma, on Wednesday to submit a charter of demands for Sangli station. Led by Satish Sakhalkar, the organization sought several new train services, including:
- Nagpur-Sangli Vande Bharat Express
- Sangli-Chennai Express via Hubballi
- Sangli-Visakhapatnam/Puri Express via Pandharpur, Solapur, and Secunderabad/Hyderabad
- Sangli-Thiruvananthapuram Express via Londa and Madgaon/Goa
- Sangli-Nizamabad Express via Latur
- Sangli-Howrah Express via Latur, Nagpur, and Raipur
These demands highlight a broader regional push for enhanced rail connectivity in Maharashtra, with Mahadik's focus on the Kolhapur-Mumbai corridor being a central part of this effort to improve transportation infrastructure and support economic development.
