The Pune–Nagpur Vande Bharat Express has quickly become one of Maharashtra’s most in-demand rail services, with officials confirming that ticket bookings have exceeded 130% for several months straight. The eight-coach train is running full nearly every day, prompting passengers and rail users to call the upgrade “long overdue”.
Daily Waitlists and Cramped Availability
Railway officials note that the service is now among the busiest semi-high-speed routes in the state. The train sees:
- Long waiting lists even on weekdays
- Tatkal tickets disappearing within minutes
- Passengers booking weeks in advance to secure seats
The persistent overbooking highlights that the current eight-coach configuration is no longer adequate for the rising number of travelers. Several frequent commuters say the train remains packed even during non-festive and off-season months.
Why the Demand Is Skyrocketing
The Pune–Nagpur corridor has evolved into a major connector between Maharashtra’s educational, industrial, and administrative hubs. Key drivers include:
- Student movement for admissions and exams
- Industrial and business travel
- Government-related administrative travel
- Growth of the Pune and Nagpur IT ecosystem
- Preference for faster, safer, and more comfortable trains
The Vande Bharat’s punctuality, reduced travel time, premium seating, and onboard amenities have made it the preferred option over conventional express trains and flights.
Railway data reportedly shows load factors consistently above 120–130%, indicating structural long-term demand rather than temporary spikes.
Growing Calls for a 16-Coach Upgrade
With pressure mounting, rail users and passenger associations have urged Central Railway to convert the Pune–Nagpur Vande Bharat to a full 16-coach version. They argue that:
- The Ajni–Pune route has the operational bandwidth for a larger rake
- A 16-coach upgrade would significantly cut waitlists
- Higher seating capacity will support rising urban and student populations
Railway officials acknowledge the need but say any upgrade will be evaluated based on the availability of additional rakes, depot readiness, and maintenance capacity.
Ajni Depot and Future Expansion
Nagpur’s Ajni maintenance depot is already being upgraded to service more Vande Bharat trains in the future. With rising demand on multiple Maharashtra corridors, the long-term plan is to introduce more rakes and expand semi-high-speed capacity across the state.
