MP Medha Kulkarni Demands High-Speed Train Connectivity for Pune – Plans for Links to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai in the Works
Pune MP Medha Kulkarni Breaks Down, Urges Limits Amid Heated Debate Over Railway Station Renaming
MP Medha Kulkarni Demands High-Speed Train Connectivity for Pune – Plans for Links to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai in the Works
पुणे से भारत के प्रमुख शहरों मे रेल कनेक्टिव्हिटी की समस्या के बारे मे आज संसद के 'शून्य काल' मे मुद्दा उपस्थित किया l
— Dr. Medha Kulkarni (@Medha_kulkarni) March 10, 2025
पुणे से दिल्ली, चेन्नई, हैदराबाद, कलकत्ता जैसे प्रमुख शहरोंमे कोई हाय स्पीड ट्रेन नही चलती । इससे छात्र, व्यापारी, पर्यटक, यात्रीओं के यातायात में असुविधा होती… pic.twitter.com/MCaYL3PpPo
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Maharashtra, Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni, has demanded high-speed train services connecting Pune to major metropolitan cities. She raised the issue during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Kulkarni pointed out that Pune is a key IT, education, and industrial hub. Despite this, the city lacks fast train services like Rajdhani, Tejas, and Vande Bharat Express. She said people have to rely on slower trains, causing delays and inconvenience.
Currently, the fastest trains from Pune to Delhi are the Jhelum Express and Goa Express. Both take around 26 to 28 hours to complete the journey. There is no Rajdhani Express from Pune, forcing passengers to travel to Mumbai first. “This wastes both time and money,” Kulkarni said.
She proposed that the Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Hyderabad Rajdhani Express trains be rerouted via Pune, either daily or at least three times a week. She also highlighted that the fastest train to Kolkata from Pune, the Azad Hind Express, takes nearly 28 hours. Kulkarni demanded Tejas and Vande Bharat trains to improve speed and promote trade and tourism.
Kulkarni also spoke about poor inter-state connectivity from Pune. She mentioned that Nashik, an important religious and agricultural center, has no direct train from Pune. Travelers must go to Mumbai or take a six-hour road trip.
She further urged the government to connect Pune with major religious cities under the Bharat Gaurav train scheme. “Better connectivity will benefit students, traders, and common passengers,” she said.
