CR may reserve seats for Deccan Queen’s regular women passengers with train pass

The Central Railway (CR) is planning to earmark certain seats for second-class women passengers travelling regularly on the monthly season ticket in Deccan Queen Express connecting CST Mumbai to Pune. The Deccan Queen’s 82nd anniversary was celebrated on Friday. Prajakta Chavan reports.

The Central Railway (CR) is planning to earmark certain seats for second-class women passengers travelling regularly on the monthly season ticket in Deccan Queen Express connecting CST Mumbai to Pune. The Deccan Queen’s 82nd anniversary was celebrated on Friday.

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Women passengers of the express’ second class demanded that seats in the ladies coach should be earmarked for monthly season ticket passengers.

“We will implement their request if its according to railway laws,” said Subodh Jain, General Manager, Central Railway.

The administration is also planning to upgrade Deccan Queen. “We will make improvements to the train’s hygiene conditions, the internal fittings and also fit mobile charging ports,” added Jain.

The CR will review the Deccan Queen’s timings to improve its punctuality. “One local plying between Lonavla-Pune departs 10 minutes before Deccan Queen from Lonavla. As it’s slower than the express, the Deccan Queen also gets delayed,” said chief public relations officer (PRO), CR, VA Malegaonkar.

The Deccan Queen was introduced on June 1, 1930 to connect Pune – Mumbai. Initially, the service was started with 2 rakes of 7 coaches, but underwent several upgrades as the years passed.

Now, the Deccan Queen runs with 17 coaches including 4 AC chair cars, one buffet car, 10 second class chair cars in the morning and evening. It runs at speed of 110km ph and takes 3hours to reach Mumbai from Pune.

“This train is much cheaper than buses, the second class ticket is for Rs. 53-76 with reservation, whereas a bus costs Rs. 200-250,” said Aaysha Khan, 18, a student from Pune.