In a significant move to aid stranded air passengers, the Central Railway (CR) has announced a series of special train services from Pune. This initiative comes as a direct response to the ongoing operational crisis at IndiGo, which has led to a large number of flight cancellations, leaving travelers in a lurch.
Extensive Network of Special Trains Activated
Swapnil Nila, the chief public relations officer for Central Railway, confirmed the deployment of these special services. The trains are designed to connect Pune with several key destinations across the country to accommodate the sudden surge in demand for rail travel.
The special trains will cater to a wide range of passengers by including AC first, second, and third classes, sleeper class, and general second class coaches. This ensures availability for passengers across various budget segments.
The detailed list of special trains includes:
- Nagpur-CSMT-Nagpur Express
- CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
- Pune-KSR Bengaluru-Pune Express
- LTT-Madgaon-LTT Express
- Pune-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Pune Express
- Hyderabad-LTT-Hyderabad Express
- Howrah-CSMT-Howrah Express
- Sealdah-LTT-Sealdah Express
- Gorakhpur-LTT-Gorakhpur Express
- Bilaspur-LTT-Bilaspur Express
- Hyderabad-Hadapsar-Hyderabad Express
A railway official stated that operations for some of these trains have already commenced and the services will continue to run until December 12 to provide sustained relief.
On-Ground Support at Pune Airport
To facilitate a smooth transition for affected flyers, the railway authorities have set up a dedicated help desk at Pune airport itself. Hemant Kumar Behera, the divisional commercial manager and PRO of the Pune rail division, explained the coordination with airport officials.
The help desk will provide all necessary information regarding available trains, their schedules, and booking procedures to passengers with cancelled flights. While the desk will guide them, passengers are expected to make their own bookings through the IRCTC application. This support system will remain operational until normalcy is restored at the airport.
The scale of the disruption was highlighted by Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke, who reported that 50 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Sunday alone. He mentioned that one of the ten aircraft bays remained blocked due to a technical issue with an IndiGo plane, though operations for other airlines like FLY91, Air India, and Air India Express were normal and timely.
Passenger Reactions and Expert Opinion
While passengers have welcomed the railway's proactive step, many expressed skepticism mixed with relief. A common concern raised was about frequent delays on long-distance routes, such as the Pune-Howrah line, which have been problematic for over three years.
One passenger noted that while special trains offer an alternative, they are primarily helpful for those without urgent travel needs, as rail journeys are significantly longer and may also face delays—a situation ironically similar to the current IndiGo crisis.
The human impact of the cancellations was starkly illustrated by Abhijeet Maharaj, whose IndiGo flight to Lucknow was cancelled on Friday. He missed a relative's wedding as even a train journey would not have gotten him there on time. However, he acknowledged that the special trains would be a boon for others in desperate need to travel.
Aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar pointed to a larger systemic issue. He urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to activate the long-pending interline flight agreement. "If an airline's flight is cancelled, there should be a provision wherein the passengers can be adjusted on the flight of a different airline going to the same destination," he told TOI. He emphasized that the current IndiGo situation underscores the critical need for such infrastructure and regulations to be put in place.
This combined effort by the railways provides a crucial safety net for travelers in Pune, highlighting the importance of inter-modal coordination during transportation emergencies.
