New Vande Bharat Express Enhances Connectivity Between Nanded and Mumbai

The new Vande Bharat Express train connecting Nanded and Mumbai was officially launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on August 22, 2023. This development marks a significant advancement for the Marathwada region, enhancing its transportation infrastructure and contributing to local economic growth.

The inauguration ceremony took place via video conferencing from Mumbai, while a formal event unfolded at the Nanded railway station. CM Fadnavis emphasized the importance of this service, stating that Nanded, a prominent religious destination for Sikhs, will now benefit from faster and more comfortable travel options. The new train reduces the travel time between the two cities by approximately two hours, a considerable improvement compared to existing services.

The inaugural train, adorned with flowers, departed from Hazur Sahib Nanded station at 11:20 AM and is scheduled to arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai by 9:55 PM. Nanded, situated along the banks of the Godavari River, is renowned for the Gurdwara Hazur Sahib, a key pilgrimage site. The Vande Bharat route also links other significant religious landmarks, including the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, and the Ajanta-Ellora Caves.

The Central Railway has highlighted that this new service will cater to business professionals, students, and tourists alike. CM Fadnavis noted, “With this new service, Nanded is now better connected to Mumbai, which will help the region develop.” He also remarked on the transformation of Indian Railways under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating that the Vande Bharat trains represent a leap forward in modern transportation.

The train covers a distance of 610 km in about 9 to 9.5 hours, an extension from its previous route that only reached Jalna. The number of coaches has increased from eight to twenty, allowing it to accommodate up to 1,440 passengers, a significant rise from the previous capacity of 500.

This inaugural Vande Bharat train is the first of its kind to connect Marathwada with Mumbai. Designed for daytime travel, it emphasizes speed, comfort, and safety. The service will operate six days a week, excluding Wednesdays from Nanded and Thursdays from Mumbai.

The schedule is optimized for day travelers, with the train departing Nanded at 5:00 AM and arriving in Mumbai at 2:25 PM. The return journey from CSMT will leave at 1:10 PM and reach Nanded by 10:50 PM. Starting from August 27, 2023, the current CSMT-Jalna Vande Bharat service will be extended to Nanded, with the return service commencing on August 28.

The introduction of this train is expected to significantly benefit business travelers, students, and pilgrims, enhancing access to major urban centers like Nashik and Mumbai. It will make scheduled stops at Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Manmad, Nashik Road, Kalyan, Thane, and Dadar.

The 20-coach semi-high-speed train features two executive chair cars and 18 regular chair cars. It includes modern amenities such as automatic temperature control, bio-vacuum toilets, panoramic windows, and energy-saving brakes, underscoring the commitment to passenger comfort and environmental sustainability.

As the region embraces this new era of transportation, the Vande Bharat Express stands as a testament to the potential connectivity holds for economic and social development in Marathwada.