Title - Railys clueless about state, civic body's Kumbh plans

NASHIK: While state government agencies and the civic authority in Nashik have drawn up plans for Kumbh in 2015, the district collectorate is yet to involve the railways in the process, raising doubts over adequate rail transport provisions being made before the mega religious event which takes place every twelve years in the city.Central Railway (CR) has not got any official communication from the state government for its Kumbh plans in terms of whether they want movement of passengers from Nashik city, to Igatpuri and Odha. They have also not communicated regarding funds for the same, a railway official said."We have plans related to upgrading facilities in the city but it is not related to the Kumbh at all, ," the senior official said adding that nothing could be planned regarding the event until the government intimated them about it."If we strengthen facilities at Nashik Road and the administration wants Igatpuri and Odha to be used for the purpose, our efforts would be wasted because for the next twelve years the facilities will not be used by the railways for any purpose," the official said.Officials further hinted at the lack of liaison between the state and civic body and the railways ."If the divisional railway manager's (DRM) office in Bhusawal is involved, planning could be done," a DRM official said pointing out that they were decision-makers but no communication.The official added that the for the last two events they were not given any state funds. "We hope the government also picks up its share in improving the railway infrastructure in Nashik to benefit its passengers in the long run," the official said.

District collector Vilas Patil said the administration was yet to plan traffic movement for the event. Once issues were discussed with various departments, only then would the administration be able to give its requirements to the Railways.

"We will be involving the Railways but at a later stage. It would take another month or so," Collector said.

Railway officials are concerned about losing time. "This would mean that we have less time in hand to study and execute the work," the railway official said.