Pune: Vande Bharat Trains to Halt at Daund, Kirloskarvadi from November 2025
In a move set to boost regional rail connectivity and passenger convenience, Indian Railways has approved two new experimental halts for Vande Bharat Express trains from November 2025. The decision, sanctioned by the Railway Board, will introduce stops at Daund and Kirloskarvadi both important transit points on the busy western corridor.
According to railway officials, the Hubballi–Pune Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20669/20670) will now stop at Kirloskarvadi, while the CSMT–Solapur Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22225/22226) will add a new halt at Daund. The halts have been permitted on a trial basis to assess passenger demand, with officials monitoring ticket bookings, occupancy rates, and feedback to determine whether the stops will become permanent fixtures.The decision follows persistent demands from passengers and local representatives for better connectivity to industrial and residential hubs along the Pune–Solapur and Pune–Hubballi routes. Kirloskarvadi, an industrial township with growing commuter traffic, and Daund, a major railway junction linking multiple routes, are expected to benefit significantly from this inclusion.
Officials said that the experimental halts are part of a larger Railways strategy to make premium train services like Vande Bharat more accessible to Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns without compromising operational efficiency. “These halts are being introduced to evaluate real travel patterns and ensure that high-speed services cater to genuine regional needs,” a senior railway officer stated.Currently, the Hubballi–Pune Vande Bharat Express departs Hubballi at 5:00 a.m. and reaches Pune at 1:30 p.m., with stops at Dharwad, Belagavi, Ghatprabha, Miraj, Sangli, and Satara. It returns at 2:15 p.m., reaching Hubballi at 10:45 p.m. The CSMT–Solapur Vande Bharat leaves Mumbai at 4:05 p.m. and arrives in Solapur at 10:40 p.m., returning at 6:05 a.m. the next day.
Railway sources confirmed that both halts will be continuously reviewed for performance metrics, including boarding and deboarding patterns, punctuality impact, and passenger satisfaction. The data collected over the next few months will help determine whether these halts merit permanent inclusion in the timetable.The introduction of these stops underscores Indian Railways’ broader focus on balancing speed and accessibility as it expands Vande Bharat operations nationwide. The initiative aligns with India’s transport sustainability goals by promoting rail over road travel reducing congestion, fuel consumption, and emissions while improving last-mile connectivity for passengers in smaller towns.If the trial proves successful, it could pave the way for similar route optimisations on other Vande Bharat corridors, ensuring India’s flagship semi-high-speed trains reach a wider section of passengers while supporting eco-friendly, equitable mobility.
