Indian Railways has unveiled a major expansion of Pune’s high-speed rail connectivity by announcing four new Vande Bharat Express trains. These services will link the city with Shegaon, Vadodara, Secunderabad, and Belagavi, taking the total number of Vande Bharat trains operating from Pune to six. This development comes as a significant push to transform rail travel for Punekars with shorter journeys and upgraded amenities.
Key Routes and Expected Benefits
- Pune–Shegaon Vande Bharat
- Likely Stops: Daund, Ahmednagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna
- Impact: Faster pilgrimage and tourism access for devotees and travelers to Shegaon.
- Pune–Vadodara Vande Bharat
- Likely Stops: Lonavala, Panvel, Vapi, Surat
- Travel Time: Expected to reduce the current 9-hour journey to 6–7 hours.
- Pune–Secunderabad Vande Bharat
- Likely Stops: Daund, Solapur, Gulbarga
- Travel Time Savings: Could cut travel time by 2–3 hours, aiding business and tech travelers.
- Pune–Belagavi Vande Bharat
- Likely Stops: Satara, Sangli, Miraj
- Ticket Price Range: Estimated between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000
- Highlight: Will strengthen connectivity with Karnataka’s northern industrial hub.
Future Outlook: Pune–Nagpur Sleeper Vande Bharat in the Pipeline
Indian Railways is also considering a sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express between Pune and Nagpur, a much-needed development that could drastically improve overnight travel for business, education, and tourism between the two major cities in Maharashtra.
Development, Tourism & Comfort on the Fast Track
These new Vande Bharat services are expected to revitalize economic activity, promote intercity tourism, and offer a comfortable, tech-enabled alternative to conventional rail journeys. With enhanced speed, onboard facilities, and punctuality, Pune is emerging as a central rail hub for Western and Southern India.
Stay tuned for official launch dates and ticketing details!
