Pune-KOP is single line and the construction work of Pune-Miraj-Londa (about 4670 crore Rs), doubling project has been taken up in a big way with allocations of Rs 180 crores till 2015-16 and enhance allocation of Rs 280 crores for 2017-18.
Following are some related observations about this existing route/ demanded train:
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(1) Rail route a 326 kms very ...
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long and circuitous as compared to road distance of just 236 kms only.
(2) Rail route is very slow with regular Express/SF trains taking 7-8 hours @ just 40-45kmph only. On the other hand road journey is just 3:30 - 5:30 hrs which is just half of the train journey time.
(3) With only 4 daily & 3 weekly Express, and a daily passenger train, most of the train are running with sub optimal loads eg Koyna-14 coach, Sahyadri-17 coach, Maharashtra-19 coach, and the crack train Mahalaxmi-21 coach, 3 weekly trains-19 coach. This indicate that either people prefer road to rail. It would be better to increase the coaches in the train and speed them up to the extent possible.
(4) Since the rail route from Pune to Kolhapur serves important cities of the region Satara, Karad, Sangli, Miraj, Ichalkaranji, traffic should be there for at least one day time intercity train. But the very slow avg speed may play spoil sport!
(5) It is expected that after doubling & electrification, the avg speed of trains shall increase which will make train journey more preferable. The scope for day time intercity shall open up in the region.
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(6) My dream train is
Panvel-Pune-KOP 446kms PNVL dep6:00, Pune(arr8:00- dep8:10), KOP arr 13:40.
In return direction, KOP dep14:30 Pune (arr19:55- dep20:05) & PNVL arr 22:15.
This train is feasible after the following under construction projects are partly/ fully commissioned
. Panvel termius for long distance trains,
. substantial chunk of Pune-Miraj doubling is commissioned,
. Panvel Karjat doubling,
. and proposed electrification of the Miraj-KOP comes through.
looking at the way speed of the projects is continuously picked up in last 2 years, above may be done in next 4-5 years.

I think it should be a day time, which could serve the region better. 11023/4 CSTM-KOP Sahyadri express is excellent overnight connection between Pune (Dep 22:00) & KOP (arr 6:OO) and reverse timing (KOP-Dep 22:50 Pune arr 6:50). Moreover, this train runs with just 17 coaches with plenty of scope for augmentation to meet additional demand.
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On the other hand, a convenient day time intercity connecting the region with Pune is lacking. An Intercity with following abstract timings should be a nice option:
Pune...
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dep.6:30 KOP arr. 13:30 & in return direction,
KOP dep. 14:30- Pune arr. 21:30