3 days Ago By Joy Sengupta
1 2 3 Pune: Cancellation of several Kolkata-bound trains from Pune and Mumbai between April 11 and 24 in view of a mega block planned by the South East Central Railway (SCER) has disrupted travel plans of several passengers who either booked tickets or were looking for trips to their hometowns. Aniruddha Dutta, a city resident who booked AC-2 tickets on Azad Hind Express, was shocked when he received a message on Tuesday that said the train was cancelled due to operational reasons. "I am in a fix as to what to do now and am looking for options.
Flights are too expensive for a family to travel together. With many trains to Kolkata from Mumbai too cancelled, this is a tough situation," Dutta, a working professional, told TOI. Santosh Kumar, senior public relations officer with Bilaspur rail division under SCER, said 40 trains across various divisons would be cancelled.
"The block is between Bilaspur and Jharsuguda for the connection of the fourth line." Trains like Azad Hind Express (Pune to Howrah), Mumbai-Howrah Gitanjali Express, Pune-Howrah and Howrah-Pune Duranto Express have been cancelled from April 11 to 24. There are other trains, including Pune-Santragachi Express, which have been cancelled on April 14 and 21.
Some other trains to Howrah from Mumbai have also been cancelled for two to three days, and some have had their routes changed. On Thursday, Pune rail division issued a statement saying six trains originating from Pune would be cancelled due to the block. According to SCER officials, eight trains operating from Mumbai would be cancelled too.
The alternative option of travel is not within everyone's scope of affordability. The one-way flight fare per person from Pune to Kolkata is between Rs8,000 and Rs9,000 and a round trip for a family of four costs almost Rs49,000. From Mumbai, the one-way fare comes to around Rs7,000.
For a family of four, a round-trip fare stands at around Rs43,000. On the other hand, a person has to pay Rs2,980 for an AC-2 ticket on Azad Hind Express and Rs2,065 for AC-3 compartment. While Azad Hind Express runs daily, Duranto Express operates twice a week.
"We are four members, and spending such a huge amount on airfare is impossible. We are looking at all options available as last-minute bookings mean waiting tickets, which is doubtful of getting confirmed. We are also looking to travel to Danapur and then to Kolkata.
We might have to cancel the trip altogether," working professional Sudhir Prasad, who planned to go to Darjeeling, said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Navratri Wishes , Eid Messages and quotes !.
