First Amrit Bharat Express Arrives in Pune, Grand Welcome at Hadapsar
Pune, 29 th April 2026: The inaugural Banaras–Hadapsar Amrit Bharat Express, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived at Hadapsar station in Pune at 11:30 PM on Wednesday, completing its first journey from Varanasi.
The train was received with a formal welcome by Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Kumar Verma, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Priyanka Sharma, Senior Divisional Operations Manager Ramdas Bhishe, Senior Divisional Personnel Officer Jitender Singh, Divisional Commercial Manager Hemant Kumar Behera, and Assistant Operations Manager Sheel Gautam, along with other railway officials.
A large number of passengers, local residents, and railway staff gathered at the station to welcome the inaugural service.
Speaking on the occasion, Public Relations Officer Hemant Kumar Behera said, “The introduction of the Banaras–Hadapsar Amrit Bharat Express marks an important step in enhancing affordable and direct rail connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. This train has been designed keeping in mind the needs of common passengers, especially migrant workers, students, and pilgrims. With improved safety features, modern amenities, and better travel comfort, the service is expected to significantly ease long-distance travel and reduce dependency on multiple train changes. The enthusiastic response witnessed at stations, including Kopargaon, reflects the strong demand for such connectivity across regions.”
Passengers on board the inaugural service reported a comfortable travel experience. A passenger travelling from Fatehpur with his wife and children, who received passenger amenity kits, said the journey was smooth and convenient, describing the train as well-suited for middle-class travellers.
Railway officials ensured smooth arrival operations at Hadapsar and welcomed passengers as the train completed its inaugural run.
