Maharashtra’s rail network has strengthened with the addition of 24 Vande Bharat Express services connecting key urban and regional centres, including Pune. The latest figures, disclosed in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Railways, underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance high-speed, reliable connectivity across the state, offering passengers faster travel times while supporting sustainable and inclusive urban mobility.
The expansion includes major routes such as Pune–Ajni, Hubballi–Pune, and Kolhapur–Pune, along with services connecting Mumbai, Nanded, Nagpur, and other cities. These trains operate on frequencies ranging from three to six days a week, providing commuters and leisure travellers alike with more options for intercity travel. An official noted that the introduction of new services is contingent on section capacity, availability of train paths, compatible infrastructure, and rolling stock readiness.
The Vande Bharat Express has been positioned by Indian Railways as a strategic tool for modernising intercity travel. Its electric-powered, semi-high-speed design contributes to lower carbon emissions compared with conventional diesel trains. Industry experts emphasise that expanding these services in urban hubs like Pune aligns with broader objectives of reducing road congestion, promoting sustainable transport, and fostering economic linkages between metropolitan and regional centres.
In Maharashtra, the Ministry highlighted the recent extension of the Jalna–Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (T) service to H S Nanded via Parbhani, aimed at improving passenger convenience and regional access. Analysts point out that such route extensions not only enhance mobility but also support local economies by connecting smaller towns with major economic centres, facilitating business travel, tourism, and social connectivity.
The selection process for new Vande Bharat routes involves proposals from elected representatives, organisations, and passenger groups. Each submission undergoes review at Railway Board, zonal, and divisional levels before feasibility assessments guide operational decisions. Officials emphasised that the expenditure for both train operations and infrastructure upgrades is incorporated within Indian Railways’ broader maintenance and capital budgets, ensuring continuity and sustainability of services.
Urban transport planners argue that expanding high-speed rail corridors in densely populated regions like Maharashtra must be complemented with integrated city-level transport planning. Efficient multimodal connectivity at stations, gender-inclusive amenities, and energy-efficient operations are key to maximising the social and environmental benefits of high-speed rail networks. As Pune and other Maharashtra cities continue to integrate Vande Bharat services into their urban mobility landscape, long-term planning will be essential to support sustainable, equitable, and low-carbon transportation systems.
Pune Expands Vande Bharat Network Connecting Major Cities Enhancing Speed Efficiency Connectivity
