Nagpur: The city’s long-pending demand for a high-speed rail link to Pune is finally being met with the launch of the Ajni–Pune Vande Bharat Express. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially flag off the train on Sunday, August 10, during his visit to Karnataka, as part of the inauguration of three new Vande Bharat services — Ajni–Pune, Bengaluru–Belagavi, and Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
The Ajni–Pune Vande Bharat Express will be the longest-running service of its kind in the country, covering 881 km. It is also Maharashtra’s 12th Vande Bharat train and the first to connect Wardha, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, and the regions between Puntamba and Daund on a single route. With an average speed of 73 kmph, it will be the fastest train between Nagpur and Pune, completing the journey in 12 hours with 10 intermediate halts.
Regular Schedule
• Train No. 26101 (Pune–Ajni): Departs Pune station at 06:25 hrs, arrives Ajni at 18:25 hrs, six days a week (except Tuesday), effective from August 11, 2025.
• Train No. 26102 (Ajni–Pune): Departs Ajni station at 09:50 hrs, arrives Pune at 21:50 hrs, six days a week (except Monday), effective from August 12, 2025.
Halts: Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, and Daund Chord Line.
Coach Composition: The train will have eight coaches, including one Executive Chair Car (EC) and seven Chair Cars (CC), offering a total seating capacity of 590 passengers — 44 in EC and 546 in CC coaches.
Railway officials believe the new service will greatly enhance connectivity between Vidarbha and western Maharashtra, reducing travel time and offering passengers a comfortable journey with modern onboard amenities.
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