This is now the country’s longest Vande Bharat route, covering 881 kilometres and beating the record of the New Delhi–Varanasi route. Apart from this, it is also the fastest train between Nagpur and Pune, with an amazing average speed of 73 kmph and 10 scheduled stops.
The new Vande Bharat service will be the first to connect several regions between Wardha and Manmad. The train will halt at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar and Daund Chord Line.
The Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune Vande Bharat Express will have eight modern coaches: one Executive Chair Car (52 seats) and seven Chair Cars (a total of 478 seats), accommodating 530 passengers in total. Passengers can expect a premium travel experience, complete with plush interiors, comfy seating, and onboard amenities.
Train No. 26101 (Pune–Ajni Vande Bharat) will depart from Pune at 06:25 hrs (except Tuesday) and reach Ajni at 18:25 hrs.
Train No. 26102 (Ajni–Pune Vande Bharat) will depart from Ajni at 09:50 hrs (except Monday) and reach Pune at 21:50 hrs. Reservations for the train are available at all computerised booking centres and on the IRCTC website.
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On Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the launch of the Vande Bharat Express a ‘matter of great joy’ for the state. “We had made a request to the Railway Minister, and he had spoken of taking a positive decision. That decision has been implemented today by the PM. The most important thing is that among all the Vande Bharat trains started so far, this is the longest-distance train. This train will cover a distance of 881 kilometres in 12 hours,” he said, as per Moneycontrol.
Following the commencement of the Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Pune, Maharashtra now operates 12 Vande Bharat trains. On Sunday, the PM also inaugurated two other Vande Bharat services — Bengaluru–Belagavi and Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express trains.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
