Passenger Surge for Diwali: Pune Trains Show ‘Regret’ Status as Waiting Lists Soar

With Diwali around the corner, the Pune railway division is facing an unprecedented rush of passengers. Despite the deployment of over 70 special trains between October 22 and 25, many trains are already showing ‘waiting’ or ‘regret’ status, leaving travelers with limited options.

Trains bound for North India are in particularly high demand, with some waiting lists exceeding 400 passengers. Popular trains like the Azad Hind Express, Hatia Express, Pune-Danapur Express, and the Chandigarh Sampark Kranti Express have reached ‘regret’ status, meaning no further bookings are available. Those headed to South India, as well as regional destinations like Solapur and Kolhapur, also have long waiting lists.

Passengers without confirmed tickets are facing difficulties as fares for last-minute bookings and alternatives, such as buses or flights, are surging. Many trains to popular destinations, including Pune-Solapur, Pune-Nagpur, and Pune-Madgaon, have high waiting lists, making travel during the Diwali period particularly challenging.

The trains currently showing ‘regret’ status include:

– Azad Hind Express

– Hatia Express

– Kolhapur-Gondia Maharashtra Express

– Pune-Danapur Express

– Chandigarh Sampark Kranti Express

– Pune-Jammu Tawi Jhelum Express

– Gandhidham Express

– Pune-Bhagat Ki Kothi Express

– Pune-Rajkot Express

Trains with substantial waiting lists:

– Pune-Solapur Hutatma Express

– Pune-Nagpur Express

– Pune-Danapur Special Express

– Pune-Malda Town Express

– Pune-Madgaon Goa Express

– Kurla-Chennai Express

– CSMT-Chennai Express

– Mumbai-Bengaluru Udyan Express

Railway authorities hope that the release of special trains will alleviate some of the passenger load, but the rush remains high. Passengers are advised to plan their travel carefully.