Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding Vande Bharat trains in Maharashtra. It provides details on existing Vande Bharat services in the state, actions taken on requests for new routes, criteria for route selection, infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, and modernization efforts. The information is current as of July 23, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Vande Bharat Train Services in Maharashtra:
* 144 Vande Bharat train services are operational on the Indian Railways network.
* 22 Vande Bharat train services originate/terminate catering to the needs of various stations located in the State of Maharashtra.
* Lists 11 specific Vande Bharat train services, including their routes, frequency, and introduction date (between December 12, 2022, and September 18, 2024). Examples include Nagpur-Secunderabad, Hubballi-Pune, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj T-Madgaon.
* Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nasik Road, SCSMT Kolhapur and Solapur stations are being served by Vande Bharat Express services.
Route Selection and Connectivity:
* Introduction of train services, including Vande Bharat, depends on traffic justification and operational feasibility.
* Train services are introduced across State boundaries as per network requirement.
* Intrastate and interstate connectivity needs are factored in.
Infrastructure and Modernization:
* Expenditure on Vande Bharat-related infrastructure is part of overall railway maintenance and upgradation, funded under Revenue and Capital Segments.
* Lists 13 major projects to improve rail connectivity in Maharashtra, including new lines, doubling, and gauge conversion, with costs ranging from ₹736 Cr to ₹16,321 Cr.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Vande Bharat train services and infrastructure projects.
* Action Required: Continue assessing and implementing new Vande Bharat routes based on traffic, feasibility, and network requirements. Continue modernization and upgradation of rail infrastructure in Maharashtra.
Public Representatives (e.g., Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke):
* Impact: Their representations regarding new Vande Bharat routes have been considered.
* Action Required: Stay informed about the progress of Vande Bharat services and infrastructure projects in Maharashtra and continue to voice the needs of their constituents.
Citizens of Maharashtra:
* Impact: Benefit from improved rail connectivity and modernised infrastructure.
* Action Required: Utilize the new and improved Vande Bharat services and provide feedback to the railway authorities for further improvements.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat Express: A type of semi-high-speed train operating in India, with multiple routes serving Maharashtra.
Maharashtra: A state in India where Vande Bharat train services are operating and where railway infrastructure projects are underway.
Nagpur: A major city in Maharashtra, connected by Vande Bharat Express trains.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus: A major railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra, serving as a terminal for several Vande Bharat Express trains.
Solapur: A city in Maharashtra, connected by Vande Bharat Express trains.
Aurangabad: A city in Maharashtra, for which public representatives have requested Vande Bharat train connectivity.
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for operating and expanding railway services, including Vande Bharat Express.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railway infrastructure and services in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 463
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
VANDE BHARAT TRAINS IN MAHARASHTRA
463. SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:
SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:
SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:
SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:
SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:
PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:
SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of Vande Bharat Express trains currently
operating in the State of Maharashtra along with their routes,
frequency and year of introduction;
(b) whether any representations have been received from public
representatives for introducing Vande Bharat trains connecting major
cities like Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, Kolhapur and Solapur and if
so, the action taken thereon;
(c) the details of the criteria adopted for selecting new Vande Bharat
routes;
(d) whether Maharashtra’s intra-State and inter-State connectivity
needs have been factored in and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the total funds allocated and spent on Vande Bharat-related
infrastructure including station maintenance depots and operational
facilities in Maharashtra;
(f) whether the Government has conducted any study or assessment to
improve railway connectivity between non-metro cities in Maharashtra
such as Nashik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Solapur, Akola and
Chandrapur and if so, the details thereof;
(g) the details of the steps taken to modernise/upgrade existing rail
infrastructure in non-metro regions of Maharashtra to facilitate new
express services; and(h) whether the Government proposes to introduce semi-high-speed or
express train services including Vande Bharat or similar trains,
connecting these cities for faster regional mobility and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (h) Presently, 144 Vande Bharat train services are operational on
the Indian Railways(IR) network which include the following 22 Vande
Bharat train services (on originating/terminating basis) which are
catering to the needs of various stations located in the State of
Maharashtra.
Sl Train no. and name Frequency W.e.f
1 20101/20102 Nagpur-Secunderabad 6 days a week 19-09-2024
Vande Bharat Express
2 20669/20670 Hubballi-Pune Vande 3 days a week 18-09-2024
Bharat Express
3 20673/20674 SCSM(T) Kolhapur - 3 days a week 18-09-2024
Pune Vande Bharat Express
4 20705/20706 Jalna-Chhatrapati 6 days a week 30-12-2023
Shivaji Maharaj (T) Vande Bharat
Express
5 20825/20826 Bilaspur-Nagpur Vande 6 days a week 12-12-2022
Bharat Express
6 20901/20902 Mumbai Central- 6 days a week 30-09-2022
Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat
Express7 20911/20912 Indore-Nagpur Vande 6 days a week 27-06-2023
Bharat Express
8 22223/22224 Chhatrapati Shivaji 6 days a week 11-02-2023
Maharaj (T)-Sainagar Shirdi Vande
Bharat Express
9 22225/22226 Chhatrapati Shivaji 6 days a week 11-02-2023
Maharaj (T)-Solapur Vande Bharat
Express
10 22229/22230 Chhatrapati Shivaji 3 days a week 28-06-2023
Maharaj (T)-Madgaon Vande Bharat
Express
11 22961/22962 Mumbai Central- 6 days a week 09-03-2024
Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nasik Road, SCSM(T) Kolhapur and
Solapur stations are being served by Vande Bharat Express services.
However, as the Railway network straddles across State boundaries,
trains are introduced across such boundaries as per network
requirement.
Besides, introduction of train services including Vande Bharat
Express services and provision of stoppages to improve connectivity
are on-going processes on Indian Railways, subject to traffic
justification, operational feasibility, etc.
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.To improve the rail connectivity of various cities located in
Maharashtra, following major projects falling fully/partly in the State of
Maharashtra have been taken up:-
SN Name of the Project Cost (₹ in Cr)
1 Manmad-Indore New Line (309 Km) 16,321
2 Jalna-Ajanta-Jalgaon New Line (174 Km) 5,804
3 Aurangabad-Ankai doubling (98 Km) 961
4 Parbhani-Parli-Vaijanath doubling (65 Km) 770
5 Jalgaon-Manmad 4th Line (160 Km) 2,574
6 Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd and 4th Line (131 Km) 3,285
7 Kalyan-Murbad new line (28 km) 836
8 Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli new line (261 km) 2,539
9 Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded new line (284 km) 3,445
10 Solapur-Osmanabad new line (84 km) 905
11 Baramati-Lonand new line (64 km) 736
12 Ratlam-Khandwa-Akola Gauge conversion (525 km) 6,384
13 Wadsa-Gadchiroli new line (53 km) 852
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