Tag: Maharashtra Travel

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FLY91 adds Solapur to its growing network

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~Booking is live for FLY91’s Goa–Solapur route

~ With the new route, FLY91 now connects eight destinations across India.

~ The route unlocks air access to five major pilgrimage centres popular among travellers from Maharashtra and the Konkan region.

Panaji, May 2025 – FLY91, India’s pure-play regional airline, will soon have direct flights between Goa and Solapur, further strengthening its commitment to enhancing last-mile air connectivity across underserved regions in India. With this addition, FLY91 connects eight destinations across the country, including four in Maharashtra, namely Pune, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg and now, Solapur. 

Bookings for the Goa–Solapur route have gone live. 

By offering a safe, time-efficient and reliable mode of transport, FLY91 has made Goa’s vibrant tourism and Solapur’s spiritual and industrial potential easily accessible for travellers from both regions.

Solapur, a key textile and industrial centre in south-western Maharashtra, also serves as the gateway to five revered pilgrimage sites in the western Indian state. With FLY91’s direct flights from Goa, travellers and pilgrims can now conveniently access religious and cultural heritage destinations such as Pandharpur (Vitthal-Rukmini Temple), Tuljapur (Tulja Bhavani Temple), Akkalkot (Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple), Gangapur (Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Math) and the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, important spiritual hubs attracting millions of visitors annually from Maharashtra and other parts of the country. 

“The launch of the Goa–Solapur route will highlight FLY91’s focus on improving connectivity to traditionally underserved destinations,” said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91. “Solapur is not only a key centre of industry but also a critical node in Maharashtra’s pilgrimage circuit. Our flights will make it easier for pilgrims, as well as business and leisure travellers alike, to move between these regions comfortably,” he further stated. 

FLY91 is thankful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Maharashtra, Director General of Civil Aviation, Airport Authority of India, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and other stakeholders who continue to support us as we expand into Solapur. 

Based out of Manohar International Airport in Goa, FLY91 currently connects key regional centres such as Hyderabad and Pune with tier II and tier III destinations including Jalgaon, Sindhudurg and Goa.

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Konkan Railway Considers Car Ferry Service Between Mumbai and Goa to Ease Festival Traffic

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Mumbai–Goa Corridor – June 2025:
In an innovative move to tackle the perennial problem of festival season traffic congestion, Konkan Railway is exploring a plan to allow passengers to ferry their cars and SUVs on train wagons between Mumbai and Goa. This initiative aims to offer travelers a convenient and stress-free alternative to long, bumper-to-bumper road journeys, especially during peak festive times like Ganesh Chaturthi.

🚦 Tackling Traffic Headaches

Every year, thousands of holidaymakers flock to Goa from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra during festivals, leading to severe traffic jams on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The scenic yet narrow Konkan route, while beautiful, often turns into a crawl during these peak periods, causing frustration and delays.

By permitting passengers to board with their vehicles on specially designed rail wagons, Konkan Railway hopes to reduce highway congestion and improve overall travel experience. Commuters can relax on the train while their cars are transported safely, eliminating the stress of driving through crowded roads.

🚆 How the Service Could Work

Though still in the planning stage, the proposed service would operate on a model similar to roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry systems used elsewhere globally. Passengers would drive their vehicles onto train wagons at a designated station, travel comfortably on the train, and then disembark with their cars at the destination.

This solution combines the efficiency and comfort of rail travel with the flexibility of having personal transport upon arrival — ideal for tourists, families, and festival travelers alike.

🎉 Potential Launch During Ganesh Chaturthi

Officials have indicated that the service might be launched on a trial basis during the upcoming Ganapati festival, when travel demand spikes significantly. The trial would allow authorities to assess logistics, passenger interest, safety measures, and operational feasibility before considering a permanent schedule.

🌟 Benefits for Commuters and the Environment

The initiative is expected to:

  • Save time and reduce travel fatigue for drivers
  • Cut down on traffic jams and road accidents
  • Encourage eco-friendly travel by reducing carbon emissions from congested highway traffic
  • Boost tourism by making Goa more accessible without the hassles of road congestion

🔍 Challenges and Considerations

While promising, the project will need to address challenges such as:

  • Designing specialized wagons to safely carry various vehicle sizes
  • Ensuring smooth loading and unloading procedures without causing delays
  • Ticket pricing and booking logistics to make it affordable and convenient
  • Coordinating with local traffic and railway authorities for seamless integration

🚀 A Step Toward Modernizing Regional Travel

If successful, this service could revolutionize travel along the Mumbai-Goa corridor and serve as a model for other congested routes in India. Combining rail and road advantages, it represents a forward-thinking solution to India’s growing transportation challenges.