Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Reroute Sparks Protest in Maharashtra
The recently approved Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train, initially scheduled to run on the Miraj-Pune-Belagavi route, is now likely to be rerouted via Solapur-Guntakal, according to railway activists. This potential change has ignited significant discontent among residents of Miraj-Sangli, who have raised grievances with the Prime Minister's Office and written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, warning of agitation over fewer trains on the Miraj route.
Infrastructure Investment vs. Underutilization
Residents and activists point to a stark contrast in railway utilization. Despite nearly completed track-doubling works worth Rs 15,000 crore on the Pune-Miraj line, only 15 trains operate daily on this route. In comparison, the Solapur-Guntakal route sees nearly 150-plus trains daily, connecting major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This underutilization has fueled frustration, especially given the economic activity along the Pune-Miraj-Belagavi-Hubli-Tumkur corridor.
Activist Concerns and Historical Context
Satish Sakhalkar, head of the Sangli Zilla Nagrik Jagruti Manch, explained that the train was approved on April 5 this year to run via Tumkur, Davangere, Hubli, Belgaum, Miraj, Sangli, Satara, and Pune, providing fast connectivity to Sangli, Satara, and Kolhapur districts. However, representatives from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lobbied for diversion to the Solapur-Guntakal-Anantapur route, which now seems set to happen.
He highlighted that during former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's tenure, the Pune-Sangli-Miraj-Hubli-Bengaluru double-track and electrified line was developed for Rs 15,000 crore, capable of handling 150-200 trains at speeds up to 130 kmph. Sakhalkar attributed the poor network on the Pune-Miraj line to negligence by western Maharashtra's representatives and announced an indefinite protest at Sangli railway station, including toy train runs between Sangli, Madhavnagar, and Nandre to condemn railway decisions.
Comparative Route Analysis
Umesh Shah, a member of the Western Maharashtra Railway Passenger Group, emphasized the disparity in train numbers. The Pune-Sangli-Hubli route has only 15 trains in 24 hours, while the Solapur-Guntakal-Anantapur-Dharmavaram route is fully utilized with extensive connectivity. Shah noted that zonal railways consistently prefer the Solapur-Guntakal route for new trains, leaving the Pune-Sangli-Hubli route underutilized.
Official Response and Uncertainty
Meanwhile, Miraj railway station superintendent Jagjit Tandale informed that no official notification has been received regarding the final route for the Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat sleeper train. This lack of clarity adds to the uncertainty and tension among stakeholders awaiting a decision.
The controversy underscores broader issues of railway infrastructure allocation and regional connectivity, with activists vowing to escalate protests if their demands for better utilization of the Pune-Miraj line are not addressed.
