Good News For Sai Devotees: Direct Pune–Shirdi Daily Train To Begin From June 17

Pune, June 15, 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, will flag off the Pune-Sainagar Shirdi Daily Express from Pune Railway Station in the august presence of various dignitaries on 17.06.2026 at 15.30 hrs.

This will be the 1st direct train from Pune to Sainagar Shirdi, fulfilling a long-standing demand of devotees and tourists.

Pune, June 15, 2026: Known as the “Oxford of the East”, Pune is a major educational, IT, and automobile hub of Maharashtra. Home to renowned institutions, research centres, and industrial zones like Hinjawadi IT Park and Chakan Auto Cluster, Pune attracts students, professionals, and business travellers from across the country. 

The city also holds cultural and historical significance with landmarks like Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, and proximity to hill stations Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar.

Sainagar Shirdi: 

Shirdi, located in Ahilyanagar district, is one of the most revered pilgrimage centres in India, being the abode of Shri Saibaba. Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station serves lakhs of devotees visiting the holy shrine through out the year from all parts of the country. The new direct connectivity from Pune will provide major convenience to pilgrims and boost religious tourism in the region.

Pune-Sainagar Shirdi Express: 

Benefits

• This will be the 1st direct train from Pune to Shirdi. 

• It will offer a safe, affordable, and comfortable option for passengers, especially senior citizens, families, and group tours visiting Saibaba Temple, reducing travel fatigue for elderly devotees. 

• The service will also improve access for Ahilyanagar and Shirdi residents to Pune’s educational and medical facilities, while boosting the local economy around Shirdi through increased footfall for hotels, taxis, and vendors. 

• Major halts enroute include 

Daund Chord Cabin-ensuring seamless rapid transit for local passengers between Pune-Daund line and north bound Daund –Manmad line, Shrigonda-providing affordable and fast connectivity to local farmers, traders and students.

Ahilyanagar-is a massive administrative, military and commercial hub handling thousands of daily commuters, working professionals and military personnel. 

Rahuri- is a renowned educational and agricultural centre, home to the largest agricultural university in the State, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidapeeth. A halt here will immensely benefit hundreds of students, researchers and scientists travelling to & fro to the University. It also facilitate travel for local farmers. 

Belapur houses some of the region’s pioneering sugar mills and is the preferred gateway to the famous Shani Shingapur Temple.

The introduction of these services will enhance connectivity, promote tourism and trade, and facilitate passenger convenience in the region.