Rajya Sabha: BJP MP Urges Launch of Direct Premium Train Between Delhi and Pune
Rajya Sabha: BJP MP Urges Launch of Direct Premium Train Between Delhi and Pune
Raising a long-pending connectivity concern in Parliament, BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra, Medha Vishram Kulkarni, on Friday called for the introduction of a direct premium train service between Pune and Delhi. She flagged the issue during Zero Hour, stating that the lack of such a service is creating daily hardships for lakhs of passengers who regularly commute between the two major cities.
Highlighting Pune’s national importance, Kulkarni said the city is widely recognised as the “Oxford of the East” because of its strong educational ecosystem that attracts students from across the country. She stressed that Pune’s role goes far beyond academics, describing it as a major centre for information technology, industry, startups, and research.
The MP pointed out that Pune is home to reputed educational institutions, advanced research centres, automobile manufacturers, and defence production units. She added that the city is also poised to become a defence corridor, which is expected to draw more defence-related industries and professionals in the near future.
Due to these developments, she said, there is constant movement of people between Pune and the national capital. Students, working professionals, business owners, industrialists, startup founders, and government officials frequently travel on this route, making reliable and fast rail connectivity a necessity rather than a luxury.
Despite the heavy demand, Kulkarni noted that there is still no fast, premium-category train directly connecting Pune and Delhi. She described the current situation as “unfortunate,” explaining that existing train services on this route take anywhere between 20 and 30 hours. These journeys, she said, are often overcrowded, uncertain, and offer limited passenger comfort.
पुणे से दिल्ली तक तेज़ और प्रीमियम रेल कनेक्टिविटी की जरूरत
— Dr. Medha Kulkarni (@Medha_kulkarni) February 6, 2026
शून्यकाल में प्रश्न उठाते हुए पुणे–दिल्ली के बीच प्रीमियम रेल सेवा प्रारंभ करने की माँग रखी।
पुणे के नागरिकों को राजधानी दिल्ली से सीधे जोड़ते हुए आधुनिक, तेज़ और सुविधाजनक रेल सेवाओं का लाभ मिलना आवश्यक है। इसी… pic.twitter.com/eztyYge5fP
“The absence of a premium alternative is causing significant inconvenience to travellers,” she said, underlining that passengers are left with no efficient option despite the importance of the route.
Kulkarni further observed that premium trains such as the Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat Express, and Tejas Express already operate between several key cities across the country. However, she expressed concern that the Delhi–Pune corridor continues to be overlooked when it comes to such high-speed, high-comfort services.
Concluding her remarks, the MP urged the government to recognise the strategic, educational, and economic importance of Pune and take steps to introduce a direct premium train between Pune and Delhi. She said such a move would not only ease travel for lakhs of passengers but also strengthen connectivity between two of India’s most significant urban centres.
