We could do with a few more trains

PUNE: Overcrowded compartments, erratic train timings and insufficient local and express train services are among the major complaints of regular commuters and activists when it comes to the Central Railway''s Pune division.
Other grievances include impolite inquiry staff, unclear public announcement system, lack of security and basic amenities at the railway station.
Geetanjali Shitole, a Pune-Lonavla local train commuter, said the local train frequency was very poor.
"It is hard to board local trains during rush hour (6-10 am and 3.30-10 pm). Consequently, many of us have to board express trains," Shitole said, adding that it''s high time, railway authorities increase frequency of trains and deployed railway police force (RPF) personnel in alternate compartments to keep a check on hoodlums and ticketless travellers.
Pune Pravasi Sangh (PPS) president Kanubhai Trivedi said that approximately 1.25 lakh people commuted via local trains every day. "We have been constantly pleading with the railway authorities for more 12 services instead of nine (one-way). Likewise, there should be round-theclock security, at least in women''s compartments," said he.
Currently there are 18 local trains running from Pune to Lonavala and vice versa every 30 minutes. The existing local trains have just nine compartments, while the passenger flow is more than 4,000 during peak hours.
However, divisional manager Bal Krishna told TNN that the division had no plans of increasing the frequency of Pune-Lonavla local trains.
"The Central Railway has decided to change the power supply to trains from direct current to alternating (DC to AC). Therefore there is little point in buying new DC rakes. The AC traction will be in place by January 2004. We can think of a greater frequency of services only after that," Krishna said.
Daily commuter Robin Thomas highlighted some of the other complaints about amenities such as lights, platform width, toilets and waiting rooms.
Pune Malyalee Federation president P.C Nambiar said, "All platforms except No 1, are in squalid condition... particularly the tracks between platform number 3, 4, 5,6 and 7."
Trivedi suggested the railway authorities install closed circuit TV cameras for better security and automatic ticket vending machines to avoid unmanageable queues.