Waiting for Maharashtra govt's nod to run Ganapati special trains: Central Railway

Central Railway (CR) said on Thursday that it is rey to run special trains to coastal districts of Maharashtra for Ganesh Chaturthi festival, but state government has t yet given a final d.

It was rey to run trains to Konkan by following all rms including social distancing, but state government asked to put schedule on hold, it claimed in a statement.

"Central Railway wishes to inform passengers that it is rey to run specials, however, final go-ahe is yet to be confirmed by state government," it said.

On July 23, it asked state government to convey its view about running special trains amid coronavirus pandemic, and number of such trains and dates, CR said.

director of Maharashtra government's disaster manment unit on August 7 informed that Ganapati special trains "may be scheduled", it said.

So it immediately prepared a schedule and sent it to Railway Board which instantly approved it subject to Standard Operating Procedure of Ministry of Home Affairs and inter-district travel rms of state government, it said.

"However, senior officials of state government of Maharashtra informed on telephone on Saturday, 8th August at night to keep on hold schedule....as matter is under re-consideration of Maharashtra Government," it said.

"Since n Railway ministration, both at (Railway) board level and zonal level, are in continuous touch with Maharashtra Government officials and have been waiting to go ahe," Central Railway stated.

Every year, lakhs of devotees travel to ir native places in Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi -- which falls on August 22 this year -- from Mumbai and or cities of state.

In view of pandemic, state government this year has me 10-day home quarantine mandatory for devotees on reaching vills. state government is alrey operating several Ganapati special buses of Maharashtra State Ro Transport Corporation.

(Photo Credit: PTI)