Pune: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday flagged off the DEMU train from Phaltan in Satara district to Pune via Lonand via a video conference.

The Union Minister also appreciated the Ministry of Railways under Piyush Goyal, in successfully bringing landmark changes to the Indian Railways over the years. “The efforts of Rail Ministry in ensuring cleanliness are such that it has set an ideal example for Swachh Bharat Mission. Paying utmost care towards cleanliness, it is a remarkable step that all mainline trains now have bio-toilets installed. Special attention is paid to maintaining cleanliness even in railway stations as well as the railway tracks as a result of which the condition of the services and trains have improved far better,” Javadekar was quoted as saying by ANI.

According to the officials from the Indian Railways, the newly launched route between Phaltan and Pune via Lonand will help the people of this region in general.

Phaltan, located at 110 km from Pune is known for agriculture produce and agro-based industries. This new route will help people of this region to reach new markets. It will also help thousands of commuters such as students, workers who travel to Pune on daily basis.

The travelling via this train is currently only for those working under essential service sector. Balasaheb Patil, Minister of Cooperation and Marketing, Government of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister of Satara, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Girish Bapat, Shriniwas Patil, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale, BJP State President Chandrakant Patil and other officials from Indian Railways were present during the ceremony.