Demand for extra trains to Pandharpur from Kolhapur

Kolhapur: The railway passenger association of Kolhapur has demanded extra trains to Pandharpur from Kolhapur to cater to the increasing count of devotees heading to Pandharpur for the Kartiki Ekadashi.
Earlier, the Solapur-Kolhapur express was a good option for the devotees, however, it stopped plying since Covid. Hence, the devotees are facing inconvenience while travelling to Pandharpur.Along with this, the association is also demanding that Kolhapur-Mumbai Sahyadri express be resumed.
Shivnath Biyani, the head of the railway passenger association, said, “The number of devotees travelling to Pandharpur for Kartiki Ekadashi from Kolhapur, Miraj and Sangli region is high. As there are very few trains available, people travel dangerously through private vehicles by overloading and sitting beyond the vehicle capacity, increasing the chances of accidents. The central railway should consider the inconvenience caused to passengers and start two extra trains to Pandharpur for the Kartiki Ekadashi period.
Meanwhile, Kolhapur-Mumbai Sahyadri express has stopped plying since Covid and currently, only Mahalaxmi express train is plying to Mumbai from Kolhapur. The demand for Mumbai-bound trains from Kolhapur is high. Hence, Sahyadri express should be resumed as early as possible,” said Biyani.
He added that the work of railway track electrification has been completed till Satara railway station and if the Kolhapur-Satara train is given an electric engine, the travel time can be reduced drastically.”