Nagpur-Pune Connectivity Boosted with New Weekly Train  

In a much-awaited development, the Indian Railways has given the green light for a new weekly express train connecting Rewa in Madhya Pradesh to Pune in Maharashtra. This move is set to enhance travel convenience for thousands, especially passengers from Vidarbha and regions of central and western India. With Nagpur getting an additional direct train to Pune, rail connectivity between the two cities — long plagued by high demand and limited options — is all set to improve.

Weekly Route Through Central India

The new service, Rewa–Pune Weekly Express (Train Nos. 20152/20151), will originate from Rewa and travel through key stations like Satna, Katni, Jabalpur, Nainpur, Balaghat, and Gondia before reaching Nagpur, and then proceed towards Pune. This train is expected to play a dual role — serving both as a long-distance connector between Rewa and Pune, and a much-needed route enhancer for the heavily trafficked Nagpur–Pune sector.

Departing from Rewa every Wednesday at 6:45 AM, the train will reach Nagpur by 6:20 PM the same day, and arrive in Pune by 9:45 AM the following Thursday. On its return journey, Train No. 20151 will leave Pune on Thursdays at 3:15 PM, reaching Nagpur early Friday at 5:25 AM, and finally terminating in Rewa by 5:30 PM the same day.

Key Halts Along the Way

To maximize its utility, the express will halt at several significant stations along its route. These include:

• Satna
• Katni
• Jabalpur
• Nainpur
• Balaghat
• Gondia
• Nagpur
• Wardha
• Bhusawal
• Manmad
• Kopargaon
• Ahmednagar
• Daund

This routing offers an important travel corridor for people residing in eastern Madhya Pradesh, central Maharashtra, and western Maharashtra alike — particularly the districts of Jalgaon, Nashik, and the newly renamed Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar).

Coach Composition

The Rewa–Pune Weekly Express will consist of 20 coaches in total:

• 4 General Coaches
• 6 Sleeper Coaches
• 3 AC 3-Tier Coaches
• 3 Economy AC 3-Tier Coaches
• 2 AC 2-Tier Coaches

This configuration aims to accommodate passengers across all travel classes, ensuring both affordability and comfort.

Addressing a Longstanding Demand

The demand for a direct and reliable rail service between Nagpur and Pune has been persistent for years. Though multiple options like the Nagpur–Pune Express, Garib Rath, Humsafar, and Ajni–Pune AC Special already serve this route, these trains often face long waiting lists, especially during holidays and weekends.

With the new train scheduled to pass through Nagpur every Wednesday evening — just 20 minutes after the existing Nagpur–Pune Express — passengers now have an alternative that could ease the pressure on ticket bookings and offer flexibility in travel plans.

Moreover, this train is expected to be a boon for people from Rewa, Shahdol, Katni, Satna, and Jabalpur who frequently travel to Nagpur for medical care. Reports indicate that nearly 90% of passengers on existing trains from Shahdol and Rewa are patients or caregivers seeking treatment in Nagpur’s hospitals.

Strategic Route via Nainpur–Balaghat

While existing Pune-bound trains from Rewa usually take the Itarsi route, they often originate from distant cities like Danapur, Patna, Prayagraj, or Allahabad — leaving limited seat availability for passengers boarding from Rewa and surrounding areas. Since adding new trains via Itarsi wasn’t feasible, the railways chose a different path, routing this train through Nainpur, Balaghat, and Gondia. This not only adds a fresh link through relatively underutilized segments but also supports the travel needs of smaller towns and rural areas along the way.

Political Support and Regional Benefits:

The train’s launch comes after sustained advocacy by political representatives, notably Bharti Parthi, MP from Balaghat. She had formally appealed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce this new service. Responding positively, the Railway Board approved the proposal, with the minister personally confirming the decision to the MP via written communication.

The service will be especially valuable for residents of Balaghat, Nagpur, and other areas of Vidarbha, alongside passengers from Jalgaon, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar, for whom this will offer an additional travel route to Pune.

Awaiting Launch Date:

While the train has received official approval and its schedule has been outlined, the exact date for the inaugural run has not yet been announced. The launch is expected soon, and preparations for full-scale operations are likely underway.

By offering broader regional access, easing congestion on popular routes, and supporting critical travel needs like medical tourism, this new train is set to become an essential part of the weekly journey for many.