Electrification of Pune-Daund Rail Track stares at further delay

Electrification of Pune-Daund Rail Track stares at further delay

Pune: Passengers’ demand for direct local trains on Lonavla-Pune-Daund route may not be realised soon as the much-awaited Pune-Daund electrification project is unlikely to get over before June.

The electrification work was expected to get over by December 2015. However, when it did not, railway minister Suresh Prabhu assured its completion by March-end.

“Though preliminary works pertaining to the power sub-stations and safety checks of a high-tension wire are in final stages, it still take at least three months to complete the ongoing works, following which the trial runs will begin,” a source from the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which has taken up the electrification work, said.

Besides the electrification of tracks, the administration will also take up many infrastructural works like increasing the height of platforms at many stations and setting up of running rooms for drivers and local trains.

The electrification of Pune-Daund section stands important as it would help in expanding the rail infrastructure around Pune for running of local trains between Lonavla and Daund. At present, local trains operate only on Pune-Lonavla electrified stretch with no direct train service on Lonavla-Pune-Daund route.

Officials at RVNL said if things go as per the plan, the electrification work will get over only by June or July.

As per a senior RVNL official, works of installing electric poles, laying of high-tension wire and commencement of power-sub stations each at Daund and Yavat are already over. “The ongoing works include safety checks of a high-tension wire in the entire stretch of about 70km. It is unlikely to get over before June,” the official said.

Divisional railway manager of Pune B K Dadabhoy said, “The project is vital for passengers in Pune division and even administration wants to complete it at earliest. Funds have already been sought for infrastructural works pertaining to upgradation of platforms and commencement running rooms.”

Meanwhile, MP Supriya Sule on Monday met Dadabhoy to discuss on-going electrification work on Pune-Daund track and suggested to expedite pending works while offering possible assistance at the level of railway board.