**Summary:**
This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4544, concerning railway services for pilgrims from Nashik and surrounding regions, specifically focusing on travel to Pandharpur during Ekadashi and connectivity to other pilgrimage sites.
The Ministry of Railways acknowledges receiving a representation from a Member of Parliament regarding the introduction of a dedicated train, named "Ekadashi Express," from Nashik Road to Pandharpur. While the Ministry operates special trains during the Ashadhi Ekadashi festival (with 86 trips operated this year), the introduction of new trains depends on factors such as capacity, path availability, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements.
Currently, Nashik Road has existing rail connectivity to various pilgrimage destinations: Varanasi (9 pairs of trains), Ayodhya (4 pairs), Puri (2 pairs), Haridwar (2 pairs), Amritsar (1 pair), Dwarka (1 pair), and Delhi area (5 pairs). The Indian Railways is undertaking network expansion works to increase capacity and enable the running of more trains in the future. The answer was provided by the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for railway transport.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ekadashi Express: A proposed dedicated train from Nashik to Pandharpur.
SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
Nashik district, Maharashtra: District in Maharashtra from where devotees travel to Pandharpur.
Pandharpur, Maharashtra: A pilgrimage town in Maharashtra, destination for devotees during Ekadashi.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Indian Railways: The state-owned railway company of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4544
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
EKADASHI EXPRESS
4544 SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken cognisance of the fact that
thousands of devotees from Nashik district and surrounding regions
travel regularly to Pandharpur especially during Ekadashi and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has received any proposals/
representations for starting a dedicated train, to be named "Ekadashi
Express", from Nashik to Pandharpur;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the status of initiation of the
train services;
(d) whether the Government proposes to start train services
originating from Nashik to places like Rameswaram, Tirupati, Puri,
Varanasi, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Ajmer, Amritsar, Jammu/SVDK, Dwarka
for pilgrims from Nashik and nearby districts to have direct
connectivity to these places and have availability of berths; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the timeframe by when such train
services will be operationalised?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) Representation from the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, for
introduction of a train from Nashik Road to Pandharpur named
“Ekadashi Express” has been received.To facilitate the devotees travel to Pandharpur during Ashadhi
Ekadashi festival, Indian Railways operates special trains for
Pandharpur. This year 86 trips of special trains were operated to
facilitate the devotees.
Introduction of new trains, increase in frequency of existing trains,
extension of existing trains etc. on any route/section depends on
various factors which include:
Capacity of that section,
Availability of path,
Availability of required rolling stock,
Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock,
Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
Considering the above factors, presently, Nashik Road is connected
to Varanasi area by 09 pairs of train, to Ayodhya by 04 pairs of trains,
to Puri by 2 pairs of trains, to Haridwar by 2 pairs of trains, to Amritsar
and to Dwaraka by 01 pair of train each, to Delhi area by 05 pairs of
trains.
To increase the capacity of the rail network and hence to run more
trains, Indian Railways have taken up network expansion works in a big
way.
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