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Maharashtra will get its 12th Vande Bharat train, connecting Ajni (Nagpur) and Pune. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off three Vande Bharat trains — Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune, KSR Bengaluru–Belagavi, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar — from KSR Bengaluru Railway Station on 10 August.
According to CR, Introduction of Vande Bharat Train service between Ajni(Nagpur) and Pune will immensely benefit a large population of passengers wanting to travel between these two cities and the towns enroute for work, business, studies and tourism. It will be beneficial for businessmen, students, employees proceeding on regular travel and special tours and will further promote tourism apart from increasing the avenues of trade and commerce.
"The Ajni(Nagpur) - Pune Vande Bharat Express will be the longest running Vande Bharat, covering a distance of 881 kms.It is the 12th Vande Bharat running in Maharashtra, and the first Vande Bharat to cover the regions of Wardha-Akola-Shegaon –Bhusaval-Jalgaon-Manmad and regions between Puntamba and Daund. It is the fastest train between Nagpur and Pune with a speed of 73kmph and 10 intermediate stoppages" said an official of CR.
Both Nagpur and Pune are fast developing mega cities with multiple small & medium industries, educational & medical institutions, places of historical and tourist interest etc. Nagpur known as the Orange City / Health care city and sometimes referred to as the Winter capital of Maharashtra is closely associated with the life of Bharat Ratna, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar with Deekshabhumi being the place where Babasaheb embraced Buddhism. This is a major pilgrimage centre for Buddhists and visited by lakhs of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is also a pilgrimage centre with an ancient temple of Lord Ram at Ramtek , believed to be the place where Lord Ram stayed briefly during his exile and other places of religious significance.
Apart from being an educational centre, Nagpur is also a medical hub with AIIMS and other prestigious medical institutions serving patients from all over the Vidharba region. Nagpur is also called as the Tiger Capital of India with several wild life sanctuaries around the region.
Pune known as the Cultural capital of Maharashtra, with a rich history is closely associated with the life of the Great Maratha King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , with Lal Mahal, his place of residence in Pune, Shivneri Fort, his place of birth, and various other forts in the region.
The famous Shaniwarvada, the then place of residence of the Peshwas is also in Pune. Pune is known for its various prestigious educational institutions and is also a pilgrimage centre with the famous Dagdu Sheth temple in the city and other places of religious significance like Alandi, Jejuri etc in the region.
Regular Service of Pune - Ajani Vande Bharat from 11th August
The regular service of train number 26101 Pune-Ajni Vande Bharat Express will depart from Pune station 6 days a week (except Tuesday) at 06.25 am with effect from 11th August and arrive Ajni at 6.25 pm same day.
Train No. 26102 Ajni-Pune Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ajni station 6 days a week (except Monday) at 09.50 am with effect from 12th August 2025 and arrive Pune at 21.50 pm same day.
It will halts at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar and Daund Chord Line stations.
It will be 8 Coach train including 1 Executive Chair Car(EC) and 7 Chair Car (CC), seating a total of 590 passengers ( 44 in EC coach and 546 in CC Coaches)
The Prime Minister will also flag off the KSR Bengaluru-Belagavi Vande Bharat Express and Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat at the event.
Presently 72 Vande Bharat Trains are running in the country covering 24 States & Union territories, offering safe, comfortable and fast travel through 144 services to its passengers. Indian Railways plans to introduce 200 plus Vande Bharat Trains in the next 3 years.
