Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Kacheguda-Nagarsol and Nanded-Manmad passenger trains have been consistently running behind schedule — by up to three hours and one hour respectively — causing significant inconvenience to thousands of daily commuters.
Railway activists said the delays are severely affecting students and office-goers who rely on these services for daily commute. More than 4,000 railway pass holders from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district alone use these trains regularly.
"The Kacheguda-Nagarsol passenger train has been running behind schedule by almost three hours, while the Nanded-Manmad passenger train is delayed by around one hour," said railway activist Raj Somani. "The disrupted schedule has posed a major issue for pass holders, including students and office-goers," Somani added.
Activists attributed the delays to operational prioritisation of the Nanded-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express. According to them, passenger trains are often held back to allow smoother passage for the premium service.
"Railway authorities detain passenger trains for considerable time to give smooth passage to the Vande Bharat express. This is unacceptable as passenger trains are more popular than the Vande Bharat express," Somani said.
Passengers have also raised concerns over poor coach conditions and hygiene issues on the Kacheguda-Nagarsol passenger train, further worsening the travel experience.
Kumar Gaurav, the senior divisional operations manager for the Nanded division of the South Central Railway, said the punctuality of passenger trains concerned will be monitored effectively. "Due to different maintenance blocks and single-line sections, sometimes it is not possible to maintain station-to-station punctuality. The issues, if any, will be taken care of," he said.
Impact on Daily Commuters
The chronic delays have forced many commuters to reconsider their travel plans. Students attending schools and colleges in nearby towns face uncertainty, often arriving late to classes. Office-goers report similar struggles, with some resorting to alternative transportation at higher costs.
Activist Concerns
Railway activists argue that the priority given to premium trains like Vande Bharat Express undermines the reliability of essential passenger services. They demand a balanced approach that ensures timely operations for all trains.
Official Response
While railway officials acknowledge the delays, they cite infrastructural constraints such as single-line sections and maintenance blocks as contributing factors. They assure that efforts are underway to improve punctuality and address passenger complaints regarding coach conditions.
