NASHIK: The Panchavati Express, the Nashik-Mumbai lifeline will resume its journey again from tomorrow (June 25). In addition, the Mumbai-Jalna Janshatabdi Express will also be started on the same day. Nashikites who travel to work in Mumbai are completely dependent on this train and have no other alternative. These trains were to start from July 1st July, but, considering the passengers’ demand, Panchavati Express will be started a week in advance.
Panchavati Express was started on September 12, 2020, after the first lockdown. However, the number of passengers decreased due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. Considering revenue losses, Panchavati, Nandigram, Tapovan, Janshatabdi and other trains were suspended from April 27. The Rajdhani Express to Delhi via Nashik was also suspended.
Due to strict lockdown, Janshatabdi, Rajyarani, Nandigram and Tapovan trains which are parallel to Panchavati Express have also been suspended, which has caused great inconvenience to Nashikites travelling to Mumbai for work. The MSRTC service was also suspended. Now Rajdhani, Tapovan and Rajyarani trains have also been started. Rajesh Phokne, a member of the Railway Advisory Committee, has claimed that the number of coaches of Panchavati Express has been reduced and demanded to increase the coaches.
