Passengers from Kolhapur and adjoining regions including Miraj and Sangli have raised an increasingly vocal demand for the reinstatement of the Kolhapur-Mumbai Sahyadri Express, a vital train service that has remained non-operational since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
The suspension, which was initially attributed to operational and financial constraints, has now turned into a source of public frustration as alternative services fail to meet the community’s daily travel needs—both in cost and convenience. Currently, a special train operating on the same schedule as the Sahyadri Express plies between Kolhapur and Pune. However, this service has done little to satisfy the region’s rail travellers, who have flagged its elevated fare structure. While technically a special train, its pricing mirrors that of long-distance services like the Mahalaxmi Express, which runs between Kolhapur and Mumbai.
Rail passengers from the region have argued that the pricing discrepancy places a financial burden on working-class travellers, students, and daily commuters who rely heavily on rail transport. Officials from Central Railway have maintained that the special train was introduced on a “demand basis” and was meant to be expanded to Mumbai after infrastructure upgrades at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). However, with no confirmed timeline, this assurance has failed to quell the growing dissatisfaction. According to estimates shared by experts, the special train’s current fares are nearly equivalent to that of the premium Vande Bharat Express on a per-kilometre basis. For instance, the Kolhapur-Pune route charges ₹1,145 for a 2-AC ticket, ₹850 for 3-AC, and ₹310 for sleeper class—almost matching Mahalaxmi Express rates, with little justification given the shorter travel distance. The Mahalaxmi Express, in contrast, frequently records a waiting list of over 400 passengers daily, reinforcing the need for additional, reasonably-priced options like the Sahyadri Express.
The train, which previously operated for over three decades, offered an efficient and affordable overnight journey connecting Kolhapur, Pune, and Mumbai. It typically departed from Kolhapur around 10.50 pm, reached Pune by 7.15 am, and continued on to arrive in Mumbai around noon. The timings were particularly suitable for working professionals and business travellers, who could use the overnight route to transition smoothly between districts and the commercial capital. Railway advocacy groups and citizen collectives argue that the prolonged suspension of the Sahyadri Express reflects a broader issue of service inequity and lack of responsiveness to regional transit needs. “This is not merely about one train; it’s about a systematic disregard for affordable regional connectivity,” remarked a representative of a railway advisory committee, who added that reinstating such trains is critical for ensuring inclusive mobility in semi-urban districts.
While officials from Central Railway have not ruled out the possibility of re-extending the current special train to Mumbai, they have also not provided a definitive date or operational blueprint. The continued absence of a formal decision has led several citizen groups to threaten peaceful demonstrations, demanding immediate action from the authorities. Experts familiar with railway planning say that the infrastructure at CSMT is now nearing completion, and there should be no further technical impediment to reviving the Sahyadri Express. They note that increasing rail services in a phased manner would not only address rising passenger demand but also reduce pressure on other overburdened services like the Mahalaxmi Express.
With sustainability and affordability at the heart of transport reform discourse, the resumption of a long-standing, moderately-priced regional train like the Sahyadri Express also aligns with broader national goals of creating equitable urban-rural transit corridors. Such moves help build more accessible cities while reducing the carbon footprint of intercity travel when compared to road-based alternatives. For now, the demand continues to intensify, and as daily commuters and passengers look towards the Central Railway for action, all eyes remain on whether decision-makers will respond with urgency or allow this crucial regional lifeline to remain suspended indefinitely.
