Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Central Railway has decided to run the Nanded–Pune Express only up to Hadapsar instead of Pune Junction from January 26, a change already reflected in online bookings. The train running up to Pune on January 25 will be the last such service. The decision, announced in November, drew criticism as passengers alleged that public representatives ignored the issue amid municipal election campaigning.
Thousands from Marathwada travel to Pune for jobs, business, and education, with railways being the most affordable and comfortable option compared to buses and private travel. The change is expected to cause major inconvenience, especially as the train will reach Hadapsar at around 4.30 am, when no Pune Municipal Corporation bus services are available. Private transport charges high fares, and there is no direct connectivity to key areas such as Pimpri-Chinchwad, Shivajinagar, Swargate, the municipal headquarters, and Kharadi. Marathwada Railway Passengers Federation president Arun Meghraj and Dayanand Dixit said the move will severely affect senior citizens, women, students, and hundreds of daily commuters from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and other districts. Passenger organisations have demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision, warning of agitation if it is not reversed.