Mumbai likely to get 7th Vande Bharat Express train on Kolhapur route

MUMBAI: In a significant boost to rail connectivity, Mumbai is likely to receive its 7th Vande Bharat Express, with plans underway to operate the semi-high-speed train on the Mumbai-Pune-Kolhapur route.
This will be the second Vande Bharat Express from Mumbai to connect Pune, following the CSMT-Pune-Solapur route. The introduction of this train is expected to enhance connectivity for passengers travelling between Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur, making journeys faster and more convenient, and further boosting economic ties in the region.

A senior Central Railway (CR) official said, "At present, the fastest train between Mumbai and Kolhapur is the Mahalaxmi Express, which covers the distance in around 10.30 hours."
The Mahalaxmi Express train covers a total distance of 518 kilometres. The average speed of the Mahalaxmi Express train is 48.94 Kmph.
The Vande Bharat, with its superior acceleration and deceleration capabilities, is expected to significantly reduce travel time, although the exact schedule is yet to be finalised.
Another official added, "With the completion of the Pune-Miraj line doubling, there is now more track availability to allow faster train operations. This will undoubtedly result in substantial time savings compared to the existing services on this route."
With this addition, Central Railway will operate five Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai, while Western Railway will continue with two, running between Mumbai and Gujarat. WR's services include the Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar and Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad routes.
Maharashtra's total count of Vande Bharat Express trains will rise to 11, including existing services from Nagpur and Pune. Additionally, two more routes-Nagpur-Secunderabad and Pune-Hubli-are likely to be introduced soon.
The Vande Bharat Express, celebrated for its speed, comfort, and cutting-edge facilities, remains a key component of Indian Railways' modernisation efforts, offering passengers a superior travel experience.