In view of the Rail Budget to be presented by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 3, city-based Maharatta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) has pressed for various demands including connectivity between the Lohegaon Airport and the proposed airport at Rajgurunagar. It has also demanded, among other things, super-fast trains to Chennai and Hyderabad and connectivity to Konkan, from Pune.

Chairman of the Railway, Road and Traffic Management Committee of MCCIA Chandmal Parmar has submitted a memorandum of demands to Mamata Banerjee. The memorandum says: "The industrialisation in Pune is increasing in a rapid pace with several international manufacturing companies setting up their bases here. Pune is also a major IT-BT centre of the country and seventh largest city in the country and hence requires additional railway networking and railway services."

The MCCIA has said that in view of the proposed international airport at Rajgurunagar, there is a need to upgrade the services. "Rail connectivity between the existing airport at Lohegaon and the proposed in Rajgurunagar is necessary in order to facilitate easy movement of air passengers and cargo. The two airports could be connected either by surface railway tracks or underground tracks and a pre-feasibility report needed to be done urgently."

There is a need to electrify the stretch between Pune and Daund railway line. "This electrification will facilitate introduction of local train services between Pune and Daund. There is a need to introduce shuttle services to Jejuri, Nira and Satara from the city," the memorandum says.

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