Nagpur: With Diwali on Nov 8, thousands of Vidarbhaites working and studying in Pune are struggling to find affordable travel options to return home. While trains are almost fully booked, airfares have crossed Rs19,000 and private sleeper bus operators are charging up to Rs7,000 for a one-way journey, leaving passengers with limited options.A check by TOI revealed that almost all trains operating between Pune and Nagpur during the first week of November are heavily booked. On Nov 5 and 7, around six trains are scheduled to operate on the route, while seven trains are available on Nov 6. However, tickets on all these services are already booked, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives.Air travel offers little relief. While tickets for flights operating at inconvenient hours, like 1.30am or early morning, are priced around Rs12,000, fares for flights at preferred timings have crossed Rs19,000 for a one-way journey.Private sleeper bus operators are also cashing in on the festive rush, charging anywhere between Rs4,000 and Rs7,000 per passenger. Compared to last year’s Diwali season, fares have increased by approximately Rs2,000, adding to the financial burden on travellers.Speaking to TOI, Vivek Zore, an IT professional working in Pune, said the situation has become an annual ordeal.“Every year, we face the same mess. If the government knows that fares skyrocket during Diwali, why can’t it introduce additional buses or regulate fares charged by airlines and private operators? We are ready to pay twice the regular fare, but charging three to four times is simply unaffordable,” Zore said.He also questioned how students, many of whom depend on their families financially, could afford such expensive journeys.With conventional travel options becoming increasingly expensive, several working professionals are exploring carpooling and shared cabs to reach their hometowns.Meanwhile, the Samruddhi Expressway has emerged as a major lifeline for travellers heading towards Vidarbha from Pune and Mumbai, offering an alternative route during the festive rush.Considering the anticipated increase in vehicular movement, highway traffic police and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) have undertaken several preventive measures, including intensified patrolling, vehicle checks and additional surveillance to minimise accidents and ensure safer journeys.However, with Diwali drawing closer, travellers continue to face the familiar dilemma of paying exorbitant fares or risking missing celebrations with their families.Box:Pune-Nagpur airfares cross Rs19,000 ahead of Diwali.Private sleeper bus fares soar to Rs7,000 per passenger.Almost all trains in the first week of November heavily booked.Bus fares rise by around Rs2,000 compared to last year.Travellers forced to pay three to four times regular fares.Students and working professionals struggle to afford homecoming.Carpooling gains traction, but highway safety remains a concern.
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