Exciting News: Vande Bharat Express Launches Between Pune and Kolhapur
Starting September 16, the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Express will commence operations between Pune and Kolhapur, promising to transform travel between these two cities. This new express service is set to significantly reduce journey times, taking approximately five hours compared to the Mahalaxmi Express’s six and a half hours and the Koyna Express’s eight hours. Passengers can look forward to a faster and more comfortable travel experience.
While ticket prices for the eight-coach Vande Bharat Express have yet to be disclosed, the service will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a video conference, with V. Somanna, the Minister of State for Railways, attending the flag-off ceremony in Kolhapur.
Initial concerns arose from passengers in Miraj and Karnataka regarding potential increases in travel times due to the new route connecting Hubbali, Pune, and Kolhapur. Local MPs Dhananjay Mahadik and Dhairyasheel Mane, alongside regional railway and passenger organizations, advocated for dedicated Vande Bharat Express services for the Hubbali-Pune and Kolhapur-Mumbai routes. In response, railway authorities confirmed that separate Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on both the Hubbali-Pune and Kolhapur-Pune routes.
The Kolhapur-Pune service will depart Kolhapur at 8:15 AM, arriving in Pune at 1:30 PM. This route will run on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The return journey from Pune will leave at 2:30 PM, reaching Kolhapur by 7:40 PM, with scheduled stops at Satara, Karad, Kirloskarwadi, Sangli, and Miraj.
The Hubbali-Pune Vande Bharat Express is set to operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will depart Hubbali at 5:00 AM and arrive in Pune by 1:30 PM. The return trip will leave Pune at 2:15 PM, arriving in Hubbali by 10:45 PM, with stops at Dharwad, Belagavi, Miraj, Sangli, and Satara.
On September 13, the Pune division of Central Railways conducted a successful test run of the Vande Bharat Express between Kolhapur and Pune, departing Kolhapur at 11:00 AM.
Stay tuned for official announcements regarding train schedules and ticketing information to catch all the latest updates.
Reference :
TOI, Link to Article