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Why don't all trains have a traction change at Pune? Is it due to a shortage of AC or AC/DC locos? Or the diesel lobby in general?

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Due to line congestion problems, platform availability issues, loco movement to/from Mumbai/Daund end of Pune Station, lots of shunting activities going on (like rake stabling, taking empty rakes to washing lines), movement of goods using through down/up lines to/from GIT Yard towards Lonavala, etc, and similar other reasons (if any), PUNE Operations has strictly said NO to any D to E or E to D Loco Change at Pune (other than those previously mentioned existing loco changes). Due to this, many trains are running DUW (Diesel Under Wires) from CSTM/LTT to Pune! Besides those CR/SCR/SR Trains, other SWR/SCR Trains like Bangalore-Ajmer/Jodhpur/Gandhidham Group, SC-RJT Exp, CCT-MLY Exp, MAS-ADI Exp, Vivek Exp, etc are also running DUW in the entire Pune-Ahmedabad Double Electrified AC Traction Route!

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Are there any plans to expand Pune station in future?

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Unfortunately No! And more importantly, there is no space / land available at Pune Station to expand the same. We have been hearing plans to develop Khadki and/or Hadapsar as Terminus Stations (to handle few trains in/out of Pune). However, such news are in media / discussions, etc for last 10 years or so and nothing concrete / useful has happened on that front!

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The Option of changing locos at Khadki, Shivajinagar should be tapped. If possible trains like Sahyadri, Koyna, Passenger can have loco change at Shivajinagar. The possibility of also departing less popular trains like Pune-Amravati, Pune-Hyderabad etc from Khadki or Chinchwad (who have some space around them) should be examined. Off course that will require putting pit lines and maintenance facility there.

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