Advertisement

Will Stop Gorakhpur Train if Diva-Ratnagiri Service Doesn’t Start from Dadar, Passengers Warn

Recently, MP Arvind Sawant, along with passenger associations, advocated for enhanced infrastructure on the Konkan Railway

Will Stop Gorakhpur Train if Diva-Ratnagiri Service Doesn’t Start from Dadar, Passengers Warn
SHARES

For the past three years, the Dadar-Ratnagiri-Dadar train has been operating from Diva station instead of Dadar, despite repeated appeals from Konkan residents to resume the service from its original point of departure. Adding to their frustration, the Dadar-Gorakhpur train was launched on January 1 during the same time slot as the Dadar-Ratnagiri train. MP Arvind Sawant and passenger associations have warned that if the Diva-Ratnagiri train is not restored to originate from Dadar, the Dadar-Gorakhpur train will be halted.

Recently, MP Arvind Sawant, along with passenger associations, advocated for enhanced infrastructure on the Konkan Railway. Key demands included reinstating the Dadar-Ratnagiri train, modernising Konkan railway stations, improving station facilities such as toilets, constructing escalators at Kankavali station, and ensuring halts for Matsyagandha Express and Tejas Express at Kankavali.

The western suburbs of Mumbai are home to approximately 7-8 lakh Konkani families, many of whom travel to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg during festivals like Ganapati, Holi, Diwali, and Gudhipadwa, as well as summer vacations. In response to increasing passenger demand, there have been calls to introduce trains such as Bandra Terminus to Sawantwadi, Vasai to Sawantwadi, Panvel to Ratnagiri (morning service), Diva to Sawantwadi, and Dadar to Sawantwadi.

Also Read: MTHL's Maidan Year: Atal Setu Records 22,689 Motorists Daily, Lower Than Expected

Another critical issue raised was the rehabilitation of landowners affected by land acquisition for the Konkan Railway project. It was suggested that these project victims, particularly those unqualified for Group 'C' posts, should be compensated or provided opportunities to set up stalls at railway stations for their livelihood. Farmers from Roha to Panvel, who contributed their land for the railway project, also sought hourly local train services between Roha and Panvel to facilitate their travel and access to Mumbai.

Given the long-standing inconvenience caused to Konkan residents by the changes in train services, MP Arvind Sawant assured that discussions with Central Railway officials would focus on reinstating the Dadar-Ratnagiri train. He emphasised that if these demands are not met, the newly introduced Dadar-Gorakhpur train service will be stopped.

Read this story in मराठी
RELATED TOPICS
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates