Nagpur: Demand for the Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express has exploded, pushing the need to double its coach count from 8 to 16. The situation mirrors the Nagpur-Indore route, which recently had its Vande Bharat upgraded to 16 coaches after consistent full bookings and long waiting lists.
Indian Railways has already expanded train 20912/11 Nagpur–Indore Vande Bharat from 8 to 16 coaches, delighting passengers on that corridor. But the Nagpur–Pune service, train 26101/02, is facing even higher demand and continues to operate with just 8 coaches despite running full from day one.
The numbers tell the story starkly. Every day, more than 66 buses run between Nagpur and Pune—over double the 29 buses operating on the Nagpur–Indore route. That gap makes one thing obvious: Pune-bound passengers desperately need more capacity on the Vande Bharat.
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26 Oct 2025
Why Pune Demand Is So High
For Nagpur, both Indore and Pune are critical cities, but Pune has a unique pull. It is a major hub for education, IT, and employment, drawing thousands of students and working professionals from Nagpur and Vidarbha. Even with daily service, the Vande Bharat remains fully booked with long waiting lists, pushing passengers toward expensive, exhausting bus travel.
Despite the long distance, the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat has become one of the most successful and longest-running Vande Bharat services in India within just a few months of launch. Yet it still runs with only 8 coaches.
Capacity Crunch in Numbers
A 16-coach Vande Bharat carries 1,128 passengers, roughly equal to 2,631 bus seats.
The current 8-coach setup carries 572 passengers, equivalent to 1,315 bus seats.
With more than 66 buses daily, Pune clearly outpaces Indore in passenger volume. The case for doubling the coaches is undeniable.
Railway Officials Respond
Vinayak Garg, Divisional Railway Manager, Central Railway (Nagpur Division), said:
“Pune Vande Bharat is extremely popular and has become the preferred mode of travel. Increasing the coach count will improve availability, and we are actively working on it.”
The message is clear: Pune is bursting with demand, and the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat is overdue for a 16-coach upgrade.
