The Indian Railways is planning to launch two new Vande Bharat trains that will connect Mumbai and Pune with Shegaon, the holy town of Gajanan Maharaj, by May 2024. This is part of the Ministry of Railways’ ambitious project to run 30 to 35 Vande Bharat Express trains across the country, linking popular pilgrimage and tourist destinations.
According to a senior officer of the Central Railway, the proposal to introduce the Vande Bharat trains on the Mumbai to Shegaon and Pune to Shegaon routes has been approved by the Railway Board. The officer said that this decision was taken to cater to the increasing demand of devotees and travelers who visit Shegaon, also known as the Pandhari of Vidarbha, for the blessings of Gajanan Maharaj.
The Vande Bharat trains, also known as Train 18, are semi-high speed, self-propelled trains that offer a comfortable and fast travel experience. The first Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019, between New Delhi and Varanasi. Since then, several other routes have been added, such as New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, New Delhi to Lucknow, and Chennai to Bengaluru.
The Vande Bharat trains have a maximum speed of 180 kmph and are equipped with modern features such as automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information system, CCTV cameras, and Wi-Fi. The trains also have executive and non-executive chair car coaches, with rotating seats, sliding doors, and modular toilets.
The introduction of the Vande Bharat trains on the Mumbai to Shegaon and Pune to Shegaon routes will not only reduce the travel time, but also boost the tourism and revenue of the region. Shegaon is one of the 1,309 railway stations that are being transformed under the Amrit Bharat Yojana, a scheme to upgrade the infrastructure and amenities of the stations.
The Central Railway has also proposed to run the Vande Bharat trains on the Mumbai to Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) and Pune to Secunderabad routes, but the final decision is yet to be taken by the Railway Board. The Railway Board has also asked other zones to suggest potential routes for the Vande Bharat trains, keeping in mind the feasibility and demand of the passengers.
The Vande Bharat trains are expected to revolutionize the railway transportation in India, by providing a safe, convenient, and eco-friendly mode of travel. The trains are also a symbol of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, as they are designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The Indian Railways aims to make the Vande Bharat trains a common sight on the tracks, connecting the diverse and vibrant regions of the country.
