Finally, This Time.

The Rail Budget 2006, for the state of Bihar is out, but I am glad to see a few trains for other states too. Nothing is more gladdening than the introduction of much awaited weekly Lucknow-Pune Express.

Weekly is less, but then Bhaagtey Bhoot Ki Langoti Bhali.

I, like many of my ilk, had been waiting for ages for this much expected, much make-sense connectivity. There are thousands of Lucknowites, and Kanpurites at this place and the traveling for them has been an agony.

The current options are as follows.

-Going to Mumbai and catching early morning Pushpak Express. Not possible to reach Mumbai from Pune that early, so try catching the other one from Kurla. But Kurla is hell. Reservation ends up in waiting just after five minutes because of much demand.

-Going to Jhansi(Jhelum Express), and taking a bus or train to Lucknow. Barring one particular day, there is no connecting train to Lucknow. Condition of buses are hopeless to say the least. At their leisurely pace, they take SEVEN hours to reach the 200KM distant Kanpur, and another two and a half to a further 80 km far Lucknow.

-Going to Allahabad(Gyanganga Express), and taking a train or bus to 200 km distant Lucknow. Buses are good, connectivity is good, and trains options are also decent. Moreover, I have a welcome option to stay over an acquaintance's place, which I usually do, and move to Lucknow next day.

But still a pain of a detour. Usually, an extra day is lost - to and fro each.

By God's and Lalu grace - this one is a breather. The only pain would be the lack of pantry for the first year, as usual. But, will manage. Thanks God for small mercies.