Passengers traveling on the crucial Howrah-Mumbai route are facing mounting difficulties as multiple express trains continue to bypass smaller stations, creating transportation chaos and leaving commuters in the lurch.
Growing List of Affected Stations
The problem has escalated significantly with numerous important express trains now skipping stops at smaller but crucial stations. Among the affected services are:
- Howrah-Mumbai CSMT Mail
- Howrah-Pune Azad Hind Express
- Howrah-Bikaner Express
- Santragachi-Chennai AC Express
- Shalimar-Patna Express
Passenger Woes Multiply
Commuters from stations like Chandil, Mahali Marup, and several others in the Chakradharpur division are bearing the brunt of this service reduction. Students, daily workers, and elderly passengers are particularly affected, often forced to travel to larger stations and arrange additional transportation at their own expense.
"The situation has become unbearable," shared a regular commuter from Chandil station. "We're spending extra money and time just to reach our destinations. The railway authorities seem indifferent to our struggles."
Official Response and Passenger Demands
Railway officials have acknowledged the issue, citing "operational requirements and time constraints" as primary reasons for the schedule changes. However, passengers argue that these explanations offer little comfort to those whose daily lives and livelihoods depend on reliable train services.
Protest movements are gaining momentum across affected regions, with commuters demanding:
- Restoration of all skipped stops
- Better communication about schedule changes
- Alternative transportation arrangements
- Compensation for additional expenses incurred
Broader Implications
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between operational efficiency and passenger convenience in India's vast railway network. As express trains prioritize faster journey times, smaller communities along major routes risk becoming increasingly isolated from the national transportation grid.
With passenger frustration reaching boiling point, all eyes are on railway authorities to find a balanced solution that serves both operational needs and the traveling public's essential requirements.
