Pune is set to witness a significant enhancement in its railway connectivity as a new long-distance train service between Pune and Rewa, passing through Jabalpur, is slated for commencement shortly. This long-awaited route promises to boost regional accessibility, benefiting travellers, small businesses, and the local economy across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The proposed rail service, which will offer direct connectivity between Pune and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh via the strategic Jabalpur junction, is expected to substantially ease the mobility challenges faced by passengers commuting across central India.
According to officials, preparations for the launch have reached the final stages, and the Indian Railways is likely to release the schedule, frequency, and ticketing details imminently. The introduction of this route addresses a long-standing public demand, particularly from residents, professionals, and students who frequently travel between Pune and Madhya Pradesh. The lack of a direct train service has so far forced travellers to rely on inconvenient multi-modal options or circuitous train routes, often leading to extended journey durations and higher costs. Railway authorities have recognised the growing economic interdependence between the western and central Indian corridors. Pune, as a key hub for manufacturing, information technology, education, and defence, maintains extensive social and commercial links with cities like Jabalpur and Rewa. The new service is likely to strengthen these ties while also facilitating affordable and sustainable long-distance travel for the common citizen. An official involved in the route planning confirmed that this service had been under consideration for several months, with repeated representations made by citizens, local administrations, and elected representatives.
After multiple rounds of coordination, the green signal was finally granted, marking a step forward in decentralised regional development and improved multi-state rail access. The new train, likely to run daily or several times a week, is expected to operate under the South East Central Railway zone and will potentially cover the major intermediate stations including Daund, Manmad, Itarsi, and Jabalpur, before terminating at Rewa. This will make it one of the few long-haul services providing direct access between the Deccan Plateau and the Vindhya heartland. Experts from the railway sector point out that enhanced rail connectivity not only facilitates social exchange but also opens up new opportunities for regional freight movement. Cities like Jabalpur and Rewa, which serve as nodes for forest produce, agricultural commodities, and small-scale industries, stand to gain from access to Pune’s logistics and trade infrastructure.
From a sustainable mobility standpoint, this rail service is also expected to contribute to India’s broader decarbonisation goals. With the Indian Railways working towards 100 percent electrification and net zero carbon emissions by 2030, every shift from road to rail for long-distance travel helps reduce overall emissions. Rail journeys consume significantly less energy per passenger-kilometre compared to road or air, making them the most eco-friendly intercity transport option. Commuters and local residents in both states have reacted positively to the announcement, calling it an overdue but welcome development. Regular travellers have voiced relief over the prospect of avoiding circuitous journeys and inconvenient transits. For many, this rail service is more than a mobility upgrade—it is a promise of safer, faster, and more reliable access to employment, education, and healthcare across state borders.
Civic and transport experts say that this move is indicative of a broader policy push towards improving tier-2 and tier-3 city linkages under the ‘One India, One Mobility’ initiative. These improvements, they note, need to be accompanied by efficient last-mile connectivity, modern station infrastructure, and digital ticketing support to truly deliver on the promise of inclusive and equitable transport infrastructure. While the official date of launch is yet to be released, officials from Indian Railways confirmed that operational and technical preparations, including track readiness, scheduling, and rakes allocation, are being finalised. It is expected that the service will be introduced during the current railway calendar year. assenger associations and public transport advocates have called for the new train to be designed keeping in mind the diverse demographic it will serve. Affordable ticketing, gender-inclusive coach allocation, and adequate general-class coaches for lower-income groups have been flagged as necessary inclusions. In addition, suggestions are being made to ensure that the service does not remain isolated from multi-modal integration. Stations like Jabalpur and Pune should see improved linkages with bus terminals and metro stations to facilitate door-to-door mobility.
The inclusion of Jabalpur, a key defence and industrial centre, in this route has added further relevance. The city not only connects central India to eastern and western parts of the country but also plays an important role in India’s strategic and logistics network. Improved train access could also stimulate tourism in Madhya Pradesh, offering travellers from western India an easier path to heritage and ecological destinations in the region. time when India’s cities are growing rapidly and expanding their socio-economic boundaries, investments in high-quality rail infrastructure hold the key to reducing urban stress, enabling decentralised growth, and providing climate-resilient transport options to the masses.
The Pune–Rewa train service, via Jabalpur, thus represents more than a new line on the map. It is a significant move towards bridging regional divides, offering greener travel, and aligning transport policies with the goals of equity and accessibility.
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