Vande Bharat’s Festive Triumph: Pune–Nagpur Route Logs 145% Occupancy, Records High Earnings of ₹2.6 Crore
Vande Bharat’s Festive Triumph: Pune–Nagpur Route Logs 145% Occupancy, Records High Earnings of ₹2.6 Crore
Premium express becomes Railways’ top performer during Diwali rush with over 14,000 passengers in twelve days
The Pune–Ajni (Nagpur) Vande Bharat Express has emerged as the festive-season favourite, recording a remarkable 145 percent passenger response between October 17 and 28. The premium service drew more than 14,000 passengers during these twelve days and generated close to ₹2.63 crore in revenue, making it the standout performer among all Vande Bharat services operating from Pune.
Railway officials noted that the overwhelming numbers were higher than expected, highlighting the growing preference for faster trains during festival travel. With travellers eager to reach home on time, the train’s speed, comfort, and punctuality played a key role in driving demand.
During the same period, all four Vande Bharat trains originating from Pune—Ajni (Nagpur), Kolhapur, Hubli, and Mumbai–Sainagar Shirdi—together carried 44,305 passengers and earned ₹4.68 crore. Yet it was the Pune–Ajni service that topped the charts in terms of response percentage.
The Pune–Ajni train alone handled 14,387 passengers. A 145 percent response rate means that demand far exceeded standard capacity, with long waitlists and heavy festival bookings. The comparison with other routes further highlights this contrast: the Pune–Kolhapur service carried 4,466 passengers (₹40.11 lakh revenue), the Pune–Hubli service transported 4,958 passengers (₹54.07 lakh), and the Mumbai–Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat saw the highest absolute numbers with 20,464 passengers and ₹1.73 crore in earnings. However, its response stood at 98.56 percent—well below the Pune–Ajni surge.
Railway officials also credited advance planning for the smooth management of the festive rush. Additional trains were deployed and services were adjusted so that both long-distance travellers and daily commuters faced minimal disruption. All Vande Bharat services from Pune maintained punctuality throughout the period, a key factor in their rising popularity.
For passengers, the appeal of Vande Bharat lies in its faster travel time, modern interiors, comfortable seating, and facilities for senior citizens and travellers with disabilities. Its reliability, especially during festival seasons, has strengthened its image as a dependable alternative to flights and buses.
The impressive festive numbers also underline a broader trend: travellers today are willing to pay premium fares for better service and time savings. The consistent performance of Vande Bharat trains may influence future railway planning, with more routes likely to get similar upgraded services in the coming years.
For the Pune–Nagpur corridor, popular among students, professionals, and families—the Vande Bharat service has already begun changing travel habits. With shorter journey times and higher convenience, more people are choosing rail over road or air, a trend that railway officials believe will continue beyond the festival season.
The record-breaking 145 percent occupancy and ₹2.63 crore earnings on the Pune–Ajni route have set a new benchmark for premium rail services, marking one of the most successful festive travel periods for the Railways in recent years.
