KHED

Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve, Hon’ble Minister of State of Railways, Coal and Mines, Government of India flagged off Nanded – Hadapsar (Pune) Express with new coaches and revised timings & First Kisan Rail from Jalna today i.e., 2nd January, 2022 in the presence of public representatives and local public.

Speaking o­n the occasion, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve stated that Nanded – Hadapsar (Pune) Express timings have been revised to provide convenient train timings for the people of Marthwada region. The new LHB Coaches will provide modern amenities like CCTVs for enhanced security, train information system for providing train running information etc. Also, the Kisan Rail flagged-off today will provide connectivity with large markets of the Nation to the farming community for transporting their

agricultural produce like fruits, vegetables etc with 50% transport subsidy. He said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, dreams about Atmanirbhar Bharat and Indian Railways is striving to make it a reality. The Indian Railways started the survey of doubling the Manmad-Aurangabad section initially with an expenditure of Rs. 1000 Crs. Doubling of railway line from Aurangabad to Jalna and beyond will be taken up soon in the next phase. Proposal to build a pit line at Jalna railway station with an expenditure of Rs. 100 Crs is under active consideration.

While presenting the welcome address by Shri A K Jain, Additional General Manager, South Central Railway stated that, the Zone is committed to enhance the infrastructure and rail connectivity to Marathwada region, with a special focus o­n freight and parcel transportation. The new express train with convenient Enroute timings for the important stations in Marathwada region connects it with the educational center and industrial hub Pune (Hadapsar being the suburb of Pune). Also, the the first Kisan rail from Jalna will bring a perceptible change to the farming community duly helping in promoting their agricultural produces at National market.

Salient features of Nanded – Hadapsar Express with new coaches and revised timings are:

Ø The train provides direct connectivity between Marathwada region and Pune, the Industrial and educational hub in Maharashtra state and convenient train timings for all the passengers of the Marathwada region.

Ø To enhance the comfort and provide modern amenities, the train has been inducted with New state-of-the-art LHB coaches, which will offer a new riding experience to the passengers.

Ø With a view to provide safe and secure travel to the passengers, CCTV cameras have been installed both inside and at entry of the coaches which will help in keeping an eye o­n entry of unauthorized persons.

Ø For disseminating the real time information of train running status to passengers travelling in the train, coaches are fitted with speakers which will function o­n GPS technology.

Ø For the first time in the trains plying in the Marathwada region, a 3rd Ac economy class has been introduced which will provide a comfortable AC travel at a reduced price as compared to regular 3rd AC coach.

Highlights of First Kisan Rail from Jalna

· “Kisan Rail” is a novel initiative announced by the Government of India to double the income of the farming community.

· Kisan Rails facilitates farmers and traders to market their agricultural produce in a fast, safe, secure and economical manner with least enroute damages to even farthest destinations.

· Starting with the first Kisan Rail in January 2021, within a short span of 11 months, more than 400 Kisan Rails have been operated from Maharashtra state of SCR jurisdiction and transported more than 1 lakh tones of agricultural commodities like grapes, pomegranates and o­nions.

· Today, the first Kisan Rail is being operated from Jalna Station to Jorhat Town Railway station in the state of Assam, which is located at a distance of more than 2800 kms and will provide safe, secure, fastest and economical transport facility to the farmers, traders, cargo operators in and around Jalna area and also for getting better market price.

Shri Rajesh Tope, Hon’ble Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Maharashtra & Guardian Minister, Jalna District; Smt Sangeeta Kailas Gorantyal, Hon’ble President, Municipal Council, Jalna; Shri Vikram Kale, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Council; Shri Rajesh Rathod, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Council; Shri Kailas Gorantyal, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Jalna; Shri Kuche Narayan Tilakchand, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Badnapur; Shri Uttam Wankhede, Hon’ble President, Zilla Parishad, Jalna; Dr. Vijay Rathod, District Collector, Jalna along with other public representatives and senior Railway officials were also present during the occasion.