**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 613 concerning Vande Bharat trains, specifically regarding connectivity to Washim-Yavatmal and Parbhani. The response details the number of Vande Bharat trains currently operational in Maharashtra, addresses public representations for new routes, and outlines the criteria for selecting these routes. Notably, train 20705/20706 Jalna-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj(T) Vande Bharat Express has been extended upto H. S. Nanded via Parbhani w.e.f. 28.08.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Operational Vande Bharat Trains in Maharashtra:**
* Indian Railways have operationalised 164 Vande Bharat train services, with 12 Vande Bharat Express services (on origination/termination basis) serving various stations located in the State of Maharashtra (as listed in the document).
* The list shows the trains numbers and name, date of introduction, and frequency. The dates vary, spanning from 11-08-2025 to 12-12-2022.
* **Response to Representations:**
* The introduction of new trains, including Vande Bharat, depends on various factors, such as section capacity, path availability, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements.
* The Ministry receives proposals/requests/suggestions/representations from various stakeholders, including Members of Parliament and rail users.
* A centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained, but they are examined, and actions are taken as deemed feasible and justified.
* **Criteria for New Vande Bharat Routes:**
* The selection of new routes depends on capacity, availability of path, rolling stock, matching infrastructure, and maintenance requirements.
* **Expenditure:**
* Expenditure related to Vande Bharat trains is part of overall maintenance and upgradation works of Railways under Revenue and Capital Segments.
* **Parbhani Connectivity:**
* Train 20705/20706 Jalna-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj(T) Vande Bharat Express has been extended upto H. S. Nanded via Parbhani w.e.f. 28.08.2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Public Representatives (Including Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav)**
* **Impact**: Their question regarding Vande Bharat train connectivity and related matters is answered, providing information on the current status, criteria, and decision-making processes.
* **Action Required**: Review the provided information and disseminate it to their constituents.
**Stakeholder: Rail Passengers in Maharashtra (Especially those in Washim-Yavatmal, Parbhani, and surrounding areas)**
* **Impact**: Provides an overview of the Vande Bharat services in Maharashtra and the extension of services to Parbhani.
* **Action Required**: Note the availability and schedule of Vande Bharat trains, particularly train 20705/20706, which has been extended to H. S. Nanded via Parbhani w.e.f. 28.08.2025.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact**: Requires the Ministry to continue evaluating proposals for new Vande Bharat routes and services.
* **Action Required**: Continue monitoring and assessing requests for new routes and adjust plans as feasible and justified. Continue to maintain and upgrade railway infrastructure under both Revenue and Capital Segments.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat Express: A type of train service which is the subject of the parliamentary question. The questions concern routes, funding, and criteria for selection of new routes.
Ministry of Railways: The central ministry responsible for matters related to railways in India; the ministry to which the parliamentary question is addressed.
Maharashtra: The state to which the operation and expansion of Vande Bharat Express trains are being inquired about.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 613
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
VANDE BHARAT TRAINS CONNECTING WASHIM-YAVATMAL AND PARBHANI
†613. SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:
SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Vande Bharat Express trains currently operational in
Maharashtra along with the details of their rail route frequency and the year of
their commencement;
(b) whether any representations from public representatives has been received
to start Vande Bhart Trains connecting other citiese in various areas of
Maharashtra including Washim-Yavatmal and Parbhani Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(c) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard;
(d) the details of criteria adopted for the selection of new Vande Bharat routes;
(e) whether the need of Internal and Interstate connectivity has been taken
care of in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
(f) the total funds allocated and spent on infrastructure related the Vande
Bharat as well as station maintenance, Depo and operational facilities in
Maharashtra; and
(g) the details of the allocation and expenditure made since commencement of
above scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (g) As the railway network straddles across boundaries of
States/Parliamentary constituencies, trains are introduced, as per network
requirement, across such boundaries.
---2/--2-
Presently, Indian Railways have operationalised 164 Vande Bharat train
services. Of which, the following 24 Vande Bharat Express services (on
origination/termination basis) are serving various stations located in the State
of Maharashtra:
Sl. Train no. and name Date of Frequency
Introduction
1 26101/26102 Pune-Ajni Vande Bharat 11-08-2025 6 Days a week
Express
2 20101/20102 Nagpur-Secunderabad 19-09-2024 6 Days a week
Vande Bharat Express
3 20669/20670 Hubballi-Pune Vande 18-09-2024 3 Days a week
Bharat Express
4 20673/20674 SCSM(T) Kolhapur-Pune 18-09-2024 3 Days a week
Vande Bharat Express
5 22961/22962 Mumbai Central- 09-03-2024 6 Days a week
Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
6 20705/20706 H S Nanded-Chhatrapati 30-12-2023 6 Days a week
Shivaji Maharaj(T) Vande Bharat
Express
7 22229/22230 Chhatrapati Shivaji 28-06-2023 6 Days a week
Maharaj(T)-Madgaon Vande Bharat
Express
8 20911/20912 Indore-Nagpur Vande 27-06-2023 6 Days a week
Bharat Express
9 22223/22224 Chhatrapati Shivaji 11-02-2023 6 Days a week
Maharaj(T)-Sainagar Shirdi Vande
Bharat Express
10 22225/22226 Chhatrapati Shivaji 11-02-2023 6 Days a week
Maharaj(T)-Solapur Vande Bharat
Express
---3/--3-
11 20825/20826 Bilaspur-Nagpur Vande 12-12-2022 6 Days a week
Bharat Express
12 20901/20902 Mumbai Central- 30-09-2022 6 Days a week
Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat
Express
To facilitate the passengers of Parbhani, 20705/20706 Jalna-Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj(T) Vande Bharat Express has been extended upto H. S. Nanded via
Parbhani w.e.f. 28.08.2025. Further, introduction of new trains including Vande
Bharat train services 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
Proposals/ requests/ suggestions/ representations, both formal and informal
inter alia for introduction of trains including Vande Bharat trains and its
variants are received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives,
organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including Railway Board, Zonal
Railways, Divisional Office etc. As receipt of such proposals/ requests/
suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of
such requests is not maintained. However, these are examined and action as
found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.
The expenditure on infrastructure including that related to Vande Bharat trains
is part of expenditure on overall maintenance and upgradation works of
Railways and is incurred under both Revenue and Capital Segments.
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