Maharashtra Gets India’s Longest Vande Bharat Express Connecting Nagpur and Pune
Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat: India’s Longest Route Train Promises Faster Travel
Nagpur: The Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express, the longest Vande Bharat route in the country, has officially been flagged off, marking a major milestone in Indian Railways’ high-speed network. Covering a distance of 881 kilometres, this is the first Vande Bharat train to operate on such a long stretch, significantly cutting travel time between the two cities.
Until now, the journey from Nagpur to Pune typically took 16 to 17 hours. With the launch of this semi-high-speed service, passengers will be able to complete the trip in just 12 hours. The initiative has been widely welcomed, with gratitude expressed towards the Honourable Prime Minister and Railway Minister for their efforts in making the service possible.
150 Vande Bharat train services now!
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 10, 2025
PM @narendramodi Ji to flag off 3 more Vande Bharat trains today
🚄 Bengaluru – Belagavi
🚄 Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – Amritsar
🚄 Nagpur (Ajni) – Pune pic.twitter.com/m4WeS32DO3
Discussions are also underway with railway officials to establish a direct line from Ahmednagar to Pune, which would eliminate a 100–125 km detour. Additionally, talks have been held to provide the railway with a “Right of Way” along the upcoming Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar–Pune expressway, which could further reduce the total distance between Nagpur and Pune by over 100 kilometres.
Given the industrial importance of the Ahmednagar–Pune and Ahmednagar–Sambhajinagar corridors, the proposal also includes developing a new freight corridor up to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to boost cargo connectivity.
Both Nagpur and Pune are fast developing mega cities with multiple small & medium industries, educational & medical institutions, places of historical and tourist interest etc.
Nagpur known as the Orange City / Health care city and sometimes referred to as the Winter capital of Maharashtra is closely associated with the life of Bharat Ratna, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar with Deekshabhumi being the place where Babasaheb embraced Buddhism. This is a major pilgrimage centre for Buddhists and visited by lakhs of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is also a pilgrimage centre with an ancient temple of Lord Ram at Ramtek , believed to be the place where Lord Ram stayed briefly during his exile and other places of religious significance.
Apart from being an educational centre, Nagpur is also a medical hub with AIIMS and other prestigious medical institutions serving patients from all over the Vidharba region.
Nagpur is also called as the Tiger Capital of India with several wild life sanctuaries around the region.
Pune known as the Cultural capital of Maharashtra, with a rich history is closely associated with the life of the Great Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , with Lal Mahal, his place of residence in Pune, Shivneri Fort, his place of birth, and various other forts in the region.
The famous Shaniwarvada, the then place of residence of the Peshwas is also in Pune. Pune is known for its various prestigious educational institutions and is also a pilgrimage centre with the famous Dagdu Sheth temple in the city and other places of religious significance like Alandi, Jejuri etc in the region.
The Introduction of Vande Bharat Train service between Ajni(Nagpur) and Pune will immensely benefit a large population of passengers wanting to travel between these two cities and the towns enroute for work, business, studies and tourism. It will be beneficial for businessmen, students, employees proceeding on regular travel and special tours and will further promote tourism apart from increasing the avenues of trade and commerce.
The Ajni(Nagpur) – Pune Vande Bharat Express will be the longest running Vande Bharat, covering a distance of 881 kms.It is the 12th Vande Bharat running in Maharashtra, and the first Vande Bharat to cover the regions of Wardha-Akola-Shegaon –Bhusaval-Jalgaon-Manmad and regions between Puntamba and Daund. It is the fastest train between Nagpur and Pune with a speed of 73kmph and 10 intermediate stoppages.
It exemplifies India’s strides in modern rail travel, offering passengers a faster, more comfortable journey and Railways’ dedication to serve the entire breadth and width of India.
The details of regular service of Pune-Ajni(Nagpur)-Pune Vande Bharat Express is as follows:
Train No. 26101 Pune-Ajni Vande Bharat Express will depart from Pune station 6 days a week (except Tuesday) at 06.25 hrs with effect from 11.08.2025 and arrive Ajni at 18.25 hrs same day.
Train No. 26102 Ajni-Pune Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ajni station 6 days a week (except Monday) at 09.50 hrs with effect from 12.08.2025 and arrive Pune at 21.50 hrs same day.
Halts – Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar and Daund Chord Line.
Coach Composition: 8 Coaches including 1 Executive Chair Car(EC) and 7 Chair Car (CC), seating a total of 530 passengers ( 52 seats in EC coach, 78 seats each in 5 CC coach and 44 seats each in 2 CC coaches attached to the Loco Pilot’s Coach)
For detailed time table and halts of these trains please visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in](http://www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or download NTES App.
With these plans in motion, the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat is not just a faster passenger service but a significant step towards improving rail and freight infrastructure in Maharashtra.
