Title - Pune Division records increase in fare earnings

PUNE: The Pune division of Central Railway registered an increase in passenger fare earnings in first five months (April to August) of the current year as against earnings registered last year in the same period.

An official from the Pune division said the earnings increased by 6 per cent. In five months ended on August 2013 the division registered earnings of Rs. 230.77 crore, as against last year’s earnings of Rs.217.14 crore, an increase of Rs.13.63 crore.

Prominent stations like Pune, Khadki, Kolhapur, Satara, Miraj and Chinchwad fall under the Pune division which always witness rush of passengers, said an official. The administration has undertaken steps to increase passenger amenities at stations on Pune-Lonavla and Pune-Kolhapur tracks, he said.

The official said that parking slots for visitors have been started recently at the Shivajinagar and Chinchwad stations. One additional parking slot is proposed at the Pune station to benefit daily commuters and people who come to the station to see of friends and relatives.

The officials said that the administration has initiated ticket checking drive at prominent stations. Action is being taken against illegal travel which included ticketless travel in trains, entering railway stations without valid tickets and unbooked luggage. More than 5,000 cases have been booked by the administration pertaining to illegal travel in last five months in Pune division.