Pune-Jodhpur Connectivity Concerns: Rajasthani Samaj Sangh Appeals for Air and Rail Services Regularization

Pune, 2nd March 2024: The Rajasthani Samaj Sangh has put forth a formal request for the regularization of air and rail services connecting Pune to Jodhpur. Magraj Rathi, the Sangh’s President, has personally submitted the demand letter to both the Minister of Civil Aviation of India Jyotiraditya Scindia and the Minister of Railways of India Ashwini Vaishnav.

Pune, with a sizable Rajasthani community numbering around one million, is home to a significant population from Jodhpur, Barmer, Pali, Sirohi, and Jalore districts. The air service between Pune and Jodhpur was initiated in the past, and there are concerns that the current service operated by IndiGo may cease operations by March 29, 2024. The potential discontinuation poses a significant inconvenience to passengers, prompting the community to advocate for the continued regularity of this crucial service.

As of now, all flights on the Pune-Jodhpur route are operating at full capacity. To mitigate potential disruptions, the community urges the initiation of Air India services alongside IndiGo, ensuring a seamless transition without causing inconvenience to the passengers.

In addition to the air services, the Rajasthani Samaj Sangh has long been advocating for an improvement in train connectivity between Pune and Jodhpur. Currently, there is only a weekly train, a situation that has been a point of contention for many years. Despite the initiation of the Pune-Bikaner weekly train service, the sizable Rajasthani community in Pune continues to face challenges due to the limited frequency of the train.

Citizens, particularly those belonging to the Rajasthani community, encounter difficulties securing bookings for the existing weekly train. With upcoming Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, there is a heightened desire among citizens to travel to their respective constituencies to cast their votes. However, the inadequate availability of train services poses a potential obstacle.

In light of these challenges, the community, through the letter submitted to Ashwini Vaishnav, has urged the initiation of a more frequent railway service between Pune and Jodhpur. This request has also been communicated to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Pali Lok Sabha Constituency MP PP Chaudhary, emphasizing the need for improved railway facilities to facilitate smooth travel, especially during crucial electoral events.