Pune To Get Four New Vande Bharat Express Trains Across Key Routes
Indian Railways is set to enhance Pune’s rail connectivity with the addition of four new Vande Bharat Express trains, taking the total number of such services originating from the city to six. The new trains will link Pune with Shegaon, Vadodara, Secunderabad, and Belagavi, significantly reducing travel time and offering a high-speed, comfortable alternative to conventional travel.
Currently, Pune operates two Vande Bharat Express trains on the Pune–Kolhapur and Pune–Hubballi routes. With the rollout of these additional services, the city will become a major Vande Bharat hub in western India, improving not only passenger movement but also catalysing regional tourism and economic development. According to railway officials, the new Pune–Shegaon route will halt at Daund, Ahmednagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Jalna, offering a faster alternative for intercity travel in Maharashtra. The Pune–Vadodara train will run via Lonavala, Panvel, Vapi, and Surat, connecting two major industrial regions. Meanwhile, the Pune–Secunderabad route—via Daund, Solapur, and Gulbarga—is expected to save at least 2 to 3 hours compared to existing options. Lastly, the Pune–Belagavi route will benefit passengers travelling via Satara, Sangli, and Miraj.
The travel time for each of these routes is expected to be between 6 to 7 hours, significantly reduced from the average 9 hours required on existing services. Ticket prices are projected to fall within the ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 range, in line with current Vande Bharat fare structures. Officials from the Indian Railways confirmed that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve semi-high-speed connectivity across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in India. These additions also align with national goals of encouraging modal shift from road to rail, thereby reducing carbon emissions and easing pressure on urban road networks. In another development, a Pune–Nagpur Vande Bharat sleeper version is under planning, which would further strengthen the east-west rail corridor of Maharashtra. Once operational, it is expected to be one of the longest overnight Vande Bharat routes and will offer air-conditioned sleeper coaches equipped with modern amenities.
Authorities noted that apart from enhancing convenience, these services are strategically designed to foster regional development, reduce urban-rural disparities, and support the vision of creating sustainable, zero-carbon transportation options. These upcoming train services reflect the rail ministry’s push to extend modern mobility options to more cities and offer a credible alternative to air and road travel for millions of Indians.
