Pune: Passengers at Bhigwan Railway Station are urging authorities to restore the halts of express trains as quickly as possible.
The station, located in Indapur taluka, serves as a convenient travel hub for passengers from the nearby talukas of Daund, Baramati, Karjat, Karmala, and Indapur.
It is particularly important for commuters from villages like Rajegaon, Khanwate, Watluj, Naigaon, Khadki, and Swami-Chincholi in eastern Daund, for whom Bhigwan is the closest railway station.
The express train halts were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating significant difficulties for regular commuters, including students, teachers, traders, and the general public.
Before the pandemic, several important express trains stopped at Bhigwan station, including the Siddheshwar Superfast Express and the Hyderabad-Mumbai Express.
Currently, only two Solapur-Pune passenger trains halt at the station, leaving passengers with limited options. The lack of express train services has forced many passengers to take alternative, more expensive routes, especially during busy travel seasons like Diwali.
Passengers are appealing to authorities to reinstate halts for key express trains, such as the Hyderabad Express, Chennai Express, Siddheshwar Superfast, and Bijapur Superfast, along with new services like the Pune-Latur-Harangul and Hutatma Express.
The absence of these trains has caused considerable inconvenience, with around 150 passengers previously relying on them for daily travel.
The situation has also taken a toll on education and employment in the region. The lack of affordable travel options has left children from poor families unable to access schools, and 50-60 local youths have reportedly been pushed into unemployment.
A rail roko protest held in February by local groups and railway passenger associations did not result in the restoration of these halts, and cases were filed against several protestors.
Despite repeated requests to local representatives, passengers are growing frustrated with the lack of action. In response, some have suggested running the existing DEMU trains from Bhigwan to Pune, instead of just between Daund and Pune, to alleviate the problem.
