Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three new Vande Bharat Express trains, further expanding India’s rapidly growing semi-high-speed rail network. With this move, Maharashtra now boasts a total of eleven Vande Bharat trains.
Three New Vande Bharat Trains Introduced In Maharashtra
The Vande Bharat Express has become synonymous with modern, efficient travel. Known for its superior speed, safety features, and comfort, these trains represent the future of Indian railways. Maharashtra, being one of the most industrially developed and populous states in India, has long required better connectivity. With the addition of these three new trains, the state’s transportation network is set to experience a major upgrade.
Here are the three new routes introduced:
- Nagpur-Secunderabad
Operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, starting from September 18. The train departs from Pune at 2:15 PM and arrives in Kolhapur at 7:40 PM. The return journey from Kolhapur is scheduled on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, departing at 8:15 AM and reaching Pune by 1:30 PM - Kolhapur-Pune
Operates every Thursday, Saturday, and Monday starting from September 19. It departs Pune at 4:15 PM and arrives in Hubballi at 11:40 PM. The return journey from Hubballi is scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, leaving at 5:00 AM and reaching Pune by 1:30 PM - Pune-Hubballi
The Nagpur-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express runs six days a week, except on Tuesdays, starting from September 19. It departs from Nagpur at 5:00 AM and arrives in Secunderabad at 12:15 PM. The return journey operates on the same six days, leaving Secunderabad at 1:00 PM and reaching Nagpur by 8:20 PM
Until now eight Vande Bharat Express trains were operated on various routes in Maharashtra by the Western Railway and Central Railway. Now, the total routes are 11 in number. These routes plan to upgrade the country’s railway infrastructure. For Maharashtra, already a commercial powerhouse, the new services will act as vital arteries linking it to other critical hubs in the region.
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Expanding Maharashtra’s Rail Connectivity
Before this addition, Maharashtra had eight Vande Bharat Express trains, managed by both Western and Central Railways. Western Railway operates the Mumbai-Ahmedabad and Mumbai-Gandhinagar routes, while Central Railway is responsible for the Mumbai-Madgaon, Mumbai-Solapur, Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi, Mumbai-Jalna, Nagpur-Raipur, and Nagpur-Bilaspur routes.
The development of better rail infrastructure also plays a key role in tourism. Maharashtra’s diverse landscape, from the hill stations of the Western Ghats to the cultural cities of Nagpur and Kolhapur, offers a wide range of attractions. For Maharashtra, these three new services will enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Cover image credits: Wikimedia Commons
First Published: September 17, 2024 7:32 PM