Shatabdis packed to capacity, barring weekdays

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 30

Shatabdi Express, which runs thrice a day on the Chandigarh-Delhi route, remains packed to capacity on weekends and holidays. On weekdays, the train plies with average 100-150 seats vacant.

The facts gathered from the Railways are contrary to what Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had claimed during his visit to the city three days ago. The minister had said there was a need for only one Shatabdi and one proposed Tejas on the route due to low occupancy. The minister had commented this after travelling in the train from Delhi to Chandigarh on July 27.

As per the figures available with the Railways, of the total 650 seats each in the two Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi trains, only around 100-150 remain vacant in each train during weekdays. Sometimes, there is 100 per cent occupancy even on weekdays.

Similarly, 748-seater the Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi also has around 150 seats vacant on an average on weekdays. The train is otherwise packed to capacity almost every weekend and on holidays.

Former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has termed Goyal’s statement that there is no need to run three Shatabdi trains between Chandigarh and Delhi as thoughtless.

“He made a statement about low occupancy on the basis of his two journeys on the train. The minister is unaware that during peak winters, there are hundreds of passengers on the waiting list. It is rather difficult to get tickets for a travel on Shatabdi as it is used by professionals, corporate sector, elderly and other people who need to get to Delhi airport. The timings of the morning and evening trains are perfect for people who need to visit Delhi for a day,” the senior Congress leader said.

Frequent Shatabdi travellers said it was not easy to get a seat in the train. Cutting down on its frequency would hit residents’ travel plans and create problems.

Dinesh Chand Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Ambala, told Chandigarh Tribune that there was 40-45 per cent occupancy in this train on an average. “The minister had not said that one train should be run on the route. Moreover, the number of trains to be run on a particular route is decided by the Railway Board and our seniors. So far, there is no proposal to reduce the number of Shatabdi trains on the Chandigarh-Delhi route,” he said.

On the plans to run Tejas on the Chandigarh-Delhi route, the DRM said, “Nothing is final about Tejas yet. But it is certain that there will be a number of them in the country.”

The Railways has not finalised when it is to be started. The superfast train will cover the distance between the city and the national capital in less than three hours. The stoppages of the train would be less as compared to other superfast trains. It will complete the journey in two hours and 55 minutes. Shatabdi takes three hours and 20 minutes to cover the distance.

There is a need for running a Tejas and Shatabdi each from Chandigarh to Delhi. Most seats of Shatabdi running between Chandigarh and Delhi remain vacant. Thus, the train should run as per requirement. I travelled from Delhi to Chandigarh in Shatabdi and I found most seats vacant. — Piyush Goyal, Railway minister

There is 40-45 per cent occupancy in the train on an average. The minister had not said one train should be run on the route. Moreover, the number of trains to be run on a particular route is decided by the Railway Board and our seniors. So far, there is no proposal to reduce the number of Shatabdi trains on the Chandigarh-Delhi route. — Dinesh Chand Sharma, DRM, Ambala

}The minister is unaware that during peak winters, there are hundreds of passengers on the waiting list. The timings of the morning and evening trains are perfect for people who need to visit Delhi for a day. —Pawan Kumar Bansal, Former Railway Minister

What frequent Shatabdi travellers say

The train’s morning-evening combination is ideal and must continue. Many people travel to Delhi in the morning Shatabdi and return in the evening run of the train. The afternoon Shatabdi has less occupancy and the authorities could think of putting brakes on its run. The decision should be taken in totality in the larger interest of the public.—Amit Sapehia

I do not think that the occupancy in the train is low enough to terminate its run. The government should work on improving the infrastructure rather than curbing the already established facility. It will create a chaos and hit passengers’ travel plans.— Poonum Thakur

I think the authorities should get a thorough study done on it rather than going by the observation of the minister, which is based on his one visit to the city. The feedback from those travelling from Chandigarh to the national capital should be taken.— Poonum Semwal

}Whenever we got a booking done for the train, especially during weekends, there was a waiting list. It is observed that seats are available from Tuesday to Thursday. On other days, there is a huge rush. Its run to Delhi should not be brought to one as it connects the national capital with Chandigarh, the capital of two states.—Yudhvir Singh