Mumbai’s 7th Vande Bharat Express To Link Pune And Kolhapur: Major Boost To Rail Connectivity

Mumbai is set to welcome its 7th Vande Bharat Express, marking a significant boost to the region's rail connectivity. The new semi-high-speed train is expected to run on the Mumbai-Pune-Kolhapur route, further enhancing travel options between these major cities.

This will be the second Vande Bharat Express connecting Mumbai and Pune, following the CSMT-Pune-Solapur route. The introduction of this train aims to make travel faster and more convenient, while also strengthening economic links between Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur.

Currently, the fastest train connecting Mumbai and Kolhapur is the Mahalaxmi Express, which covers the 518-kilometre distance in around 10.5 hours, with an average speed of 48.94 kilometres per hour.

The Vande Bharat Express, known for its rapid acceleration and deceleration, is expected to cut down the travel time significantly. While the exact timetable is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that it will provide a much quicker journey compared to the existing services.

Central Railway officials highlighted the recent completion of the Pune-Miraj line doubling, which has improved track availability and will allow for faster train operations. This development is likely to result in considerable time savings for passengers travelling on the route.

Once operational, Central Railway will have five Vande Bharat Express trains running from Mumbai, with Western Railway managing two services between Mumbai and Gujarat. These include the Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar and Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad routes.

With the addition of this new train, Maharashtra will have a total of 11 Vande Bharat Express trains, with other routes already in operation from Nagpur and Pune. Two more routes, Nagpur-Secunderabad and Pune-Hubli, are also expected to start soon.

The Vande Bharat Express, known for its speed, comfort, and modern facilities, remains a key part of Indian Railways' modernisation efforts, offering passengers a more comfortable and efficient travel experience.

In related news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate the Hubli-Pune Vande Bharat Express from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

According to Ram Paul Barpagga, Public Relations Officer for Pune Division, this new service will be a significant development for Pune, further enhancing the city's rail connectivity.