PM Modi Flags Off Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express

Fastest Link Between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra; CM Pushes for Direct Nagar–Pune Rail Route

Nagpur, Aug 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing, marking a major boost in connectivity between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra. The launch ceremony was held at Platform No. 8 of the Central Railway Station in Nagpur, attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari as chief guests.

Also present were MLAs Mohan Mate, Krishna Khopde, Praveen Datke, Central Railway General Manager Dharmveer Meena, Divisional Railway Manager Vinayak Garg, and other senior officials. Alongside the Nagpur–Pune service, PM Modi also inaugurated the Bengaluru–Belagavi and Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat trains.

12-Hour Journey, Longest Vande Bharat Route

The Ajni–Pune Vande Bharat Express will cover the Nagpur–Pune stretch in around 12 hours, significantly reducing travel time compared to earlier services. On its route, the train will halt at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar, and Daund before reaching Pune via the Daund chord line.

The station premises were decked with garlands, flags, and flowers to mark the occasion. The CM and officials extended their best wishes to passengers, while students, travellers, and citizens attended in large numbers.

Fadnavis said the new service would make pilgrimages and business travel between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra faster and more convenient, boosting trade, tourism, and employment opportunities.

Push for Direct Nagar–Pune Rail Lin

After the event, CM Fadnavis told the media that the number of passengers travelling from Vidarbha to Pune is high, but current options are costly and time-consuming. The Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat covers the longest distance among all such trains in India.

Currently, trains via Nagar–Daund take a detour of 100–125 km. The CM has proposed to the Railway Ministry that a direct Ahilyanagar–Pune route be developed to shorten the distance and travel time. He added that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, and Pune form an industrial corridor, making rail infrastructure development essential. A new expressway from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Pune is also planned, with scope to integrate the rail route into its right of way.