the goan I network
VASCO
The recently launched train service between Vasco and Belagavi has received poor response at Vasco.
The new train was recently flagged off from Vasco at the hands of Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi in the presence of Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar.
There were plans to have the train on a daily basis to establish a strong connection between Vasco and Belagavi especially as it could cater to the trade between the two places. Also, the idea was to facilitate fast travel for many students from Goa who are studying in Belagavi.
In spite of all these factors favouring a daily train service between these two important destinations, sources at the Vasco railway station said the response is extremely poor response for the last two trips since it was launched.
They said that passengers, traders and business owners are not happy with the train timings. “In the last two days, the train arrived in Vasco with very few passengers. Even for the return journey to Belagavi there were few people. There is a demand from passengers and businessman to change the timing of the train,” a source said.
Earlier, the train service between Vasco and Miraj on a metre gauge received tremendous response. After the line was converted into a broad gauge, the service was stopped after which passengers shifted to the Nizamuddin train. The new train between Belagavi and Goa leaves Belagavi at 6.25 am and reaches Vasco at around 1 pm. For the return journey, it leaves Vasco at 4 pm and reaches Belagavi by 9.30 pm.
On Friday, if sources are to be believed, around 5 passengers got off at Vasco station and around 15 passengers on Saturday. For the return journey around 15 passengers boarded the train from Vasco on Friday and Saturday.
The train didn’t receive good response from other stations of the State as well. Just 45 minutes before this train leaves, the Nizamuddin Express train departs from Vasco and it reaches Belagavi before the new train service.
This service would only be a secondary option for passengers who miss the Nizamuddin Express for any reason.
The new train reaches Belagavi at night. It could work well if the timings can be changed to suit businessmen.
