The much-awaited Vande Bharat Express connecting Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune is set to begin operations from August 10, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to flag off the inaugural journey. The train will operate from Ajni Railway Station and is expected to run three times a week, subject to availability of slots, as the third and fourth line work in a critical rail corridor is still underway.
Although there was significant anticipation regarding the launch of the first sleeper-class Vande Bharat train on this route, the rollout of sleeper coaches has now been deferred to next year. Until then, the Pune-bound Vande Bharat service will operate with seating-only coaches, which may not be ideal for passengers given the 850+ km journey, despite it being one of the fastest trains on this route.
As per preliminary plans, the Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ajni in the evening and commence its return journey from Hadapsar Station in Pune at 6 am, aiming to complete the trip in under 12 hours — a notable improvement compared to existing trains like the Maharashtra Express, which takes over 18 hours, and other express trains which average around 16 hours.
The Pune Railway Station is currently unable to accommodate additional trains, prompting authorities to designate Hadapsar as the temporary terminus. The service is expected to benefit a large number of passengers, especially professionals from Vidarbha working in IT and related sectors in Pune.
While details such as train number, stoppages, and final timings are being worked out, officials from the Central Railway Division confirmed that the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) will reflect full information two days prior to the inaugural run.
The launch will be part of a broader Vande Bharat rollout programme in which the Prime Minister will also flag off two other trains: Bengaluru–Belagavi and Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra services.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the poor infrastructure at Ajni Station, which is set to host one of Indian Railways’ most premium services. Platform No. 2, designated for train departures, lacks adequate shelter, and construction and remodelling works are reportedly moving at a slow pace. With the monsoon in full swing, passengers risk exposure to rain due to insufficient covered waiting areas. Railway staff have indicated that unless the pace of work picks up, the station may not be ready in time for the grand launch.
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