PM Modi to Flag Off Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express on August 10

A New Era in High-Speed Travel Between Nagpur and Pune Begins

Nagpur Pune Vande Bharat Express | Vande Bharat Nagpur to Pune: In a historic moment for Indian Railways and Maharashtra’s travelers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the maiden Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express on August 10. The new semi-high-speed train service promises to drastically cut travel time between two of Maharashtra’s major cities — Nagpur and Pune — making the journey smoother, faster, and more convenient than ever before.

A Much-Awaited Connection Comes Alive

The anticipation has been building for months, and now it’s finally official. The Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express, India’s premium passenger service, will depart from Ajni Railway Station in Nagpur and terminate at Hadapsar Station in Pune. This move comes as Pune Junction lacks the current infrastructure to accommodate new train services.

Initially expected to feature the first sleeper-class Vande Bharat rake, the service will instead begin with AC chair car coaches, as sleeper variants are expected to be inducted from next year. Despite this limitation, the journey is expected to be completed in under 12 hours, a significant improvement over the current 16 to 18-hour travel time via existing Mail/Express trains such as the Maharashtra Express.

Why This Train Service is a Game-Changer

Fastest Travel Time on the Route

Currently, the journey between Nagpur and Pune by conventional trains takes around 16-18 hours, depending on the service. The Vande Bharat Express will reduce this travel time to approximately 11-12 hours, making it the fastest train on this corridor. This speed improvement will be a boon for thousands of working professionals, students, and frequent travelers between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra.

Initial Schedule and Frequency Nagpur Pune Vande Bharat Express 

While the exact timings and train number will be finalized and loaded into the PRS (Passenger Reservation System) just two days before the inaugural run, preliminary discussions suggest the following:

• Departure from Ajni: Likely in the evening

• Departure from Hadapsar (Pune): Expected at 6:00 AM

Initially, the train is planned as a tri-weekly service, subject to track availability, due to ongoing third and fourth line works in the busy corridor. Officials from the railway board are still coordinating to identify optimal time slots for the train, balancing other heavy-traffic operations.

A Strategic Move Benefiting the Working Class | Vande Bharat Nagpur to Pune:

The Nagpur-Pune belt is a high-mobility zone, particularly for professionals employed in Pune’s booming IT and manufacturing sectors. As many from Vidarbha have migrated to Pune, a fast and reliable train service between the two cities has been in demand for years. The Vande Bharat Express directly caters to this need by offering rapid connectivity with modern comfort.

Challenges at Ajni Station: A Premium Train vs. Outdated Infrastructure | Nagpur Pune Vande Bharat Express

Ironically, while Ajni Railway Station has been chosen as the origin point for this premium Vande Bharat service, its infrastructure remains woefully inadequate. Passengers departing from platform no. 2, which is expected to be used for the Vande Bharat Express, face the following issues:

• No shed or roofing to protect against rain

• Ongoing remodelling work affecting amenities

• Limited space for seating and passenger shelter

Despite these concerns, officials are hoping to speed up work to make the station ready for the inaugural event. However, unless there is a rapid escalation in construction activity, Ajni Station may not match the prestige of the train it’s launching.

Part of a Larger Inauguration Drive by the Prime Minister

The Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express is part of a broader initiative where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off three new Vande Bharat trains from Karnataka on August 10:

• Bengaluru-Belagavi

• Nagpur-Pune

• Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

This marks a significant expansion in the Vande Bharat network, offering faster, cleaner, and more efficient rail options to passengers across India.

Awaited Details: Final Rake Composition, Stops, and Timings

While many key aspects are known, railway officials are still working on:

• Finalizing the stoppage points

• Defining days of operation

• Confirming the coach composition

Given the current demand and logistics, the train will likely have minimal halts, potentially stopping only at critical junctions like Wardha, Akola, Bhusaval, Manmad, and Daund. This limited-stop approach will allow for maximum speed efficiency, keeping journey time within the promised 12-hour window.

The Road Ahead: Future Upgrades and Expectations

With the sleeper-class Vande Bharat trains expected to be introduced from 2026, travelers on longer routes like Nagpur to Pune can look forward to overnight journeys with improved comfort. Furthermore, with continued infrastructure development at Ajni and Hadapsar, both ends of the journey are expected to become more passenger-friendly.

A New Chapter in Maharashtra’s Rail Travel

The launch of the Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express is more than just the introduction of another train — it symbolizes a technological and logistical leap forward for the Indian Railways and a major lifestyle upgrade for travelers in Maharashtra.

As we move towards faster, smarter, and more efficient transport systems, the Vande Bharat series stands as a beacon of India’s rail ambitions. The Ajni-Hadapsar express is just the beginning of a much-needed revolution in inter-city travel in the country.