Nashikrod : For the last few days, in Panchavati Express, Nashik’s employed, professional, students and passholders are not getting a place to sit. Due to the increase in the crowd for the last 2 days, it was difficult to find a place to stand in the train. Fights are also taking place over the place. Passengers making ticket booking and pass holders are also not being allowed to sit in their place by other passengers. In such a situation, the anger of the passengers of Rajana has increased.
The employees and traders of Nashik traveling from Panchavati were battling the COVID crisis for two years. Sometimes the trains are closed and sometimes the entire train remains in reserve. Some started reaching Mumbai by private car and some by two wheeler even in cold, rainy weather. Travel expenses are more than salary. People have become indebted. Ultimately, the railways generalized 6 coaches of Panchavati. Yet everyday commuters are only disappointed. Monthly pass bogie to open in Nashik and 4 other general coaches as before, demand to reserve only for the passengers of Nashik Monthly pass holder and President of Pravasi Welfare Association Rajesh Phokane, Vice President Kiran Borse, Deepak Korgaonkar, Sanjay Shinde, Dattaram Gosavi, Kailas Barve, Nitin Jagtap, Ujwala Kolhe, Balasaheb Kedare of Pravasi Sangathan. Railway officials of Nashik Road have informed about the problems of passengers to Bhusaval Headquarters.
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Before COVID, 5 coaches in Panchavati train were reserved for Nashik residents. One coach was for pass holders and 4 coaches were for general passengers. But now there is no coach reserve for Nashik. With the end of the COVID wave, the number of travelers, tourists and businessmen going to Mumbai has increased. When Godavari Express starts, the crowd will be divided. But due to the closure of Godavari, there is a lot of pressure on Panchavati Express. Reserved tickets were mandatory in all trains including Panchavati in COVID. Only six coaches of Panchavati train were made unreserved (general). But as soon as the train leaves Manmad, these coaches get filled with passengers. Therefore, daily commuters and pass holders from Nashik to Mumbai do not get a place to sit.
Traveling from Panchavati has become divine. After working 8 hours a day in Mumbai, 8 hours of vertical travel has become impossible. One bogie of Panchavati Monthly Pass holders should be opened in Nashik and 4 bogies in General Nashik as before. Godavari should also be started.
– Kiran Borse, traveler
injustice to pass holders
Panchavati is crowded on Monday, Friday and Saturday. Therefore, if the holders do not get a seat near Panchavati, they reach Mumbai by trains like Rajyarani and Nandigram. But at present this type of stamp is put only on the monthly pass of Panchavati train. Hence this pass does not run in other trains. If you travel, you will have to pay a fine even if you have a traveling pass. All vehicles including Panchavati should be unreserved. Don’t get robbed by giving extra tickets. Tapovan, Rajyarani, Nandigram to Panchavati pass holders should be allowed. Don’t punish even if you pass.
– Sanjay Shinde, Passenger