Pune-Nagpur Vande Bharat to Run 12 Hours Without Sleeper, Commuters Unhappy
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 6th August 2025: The soon-to-be-introduced Pune-Nagpur Vande Bharat Express, which will cover the distance in 12 hours with only seating arrangements, has drawn criticism from passengers on social media. Users have expressed concerns over the long-duration journey in a Chair Car configuration, calling it uncomfortable and expensive for such an extended travel time.
As per the approved schedule, Train No. 26102 Ajni (Nagpur)-Pune Vande Bharat Express will depart Ajni at 09:50 hrs and arrive in Pune at 21:50 hrs. The reverse service, Train No. 26101 Pune-Ajni (Nagpur), will leave Pune at 06:25 hrs and reach Ajni at 18:25 hrs. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Mondays from Ajni and Tuesdays from Pune.
Passengers will have the option to board and alight at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, and Daund Chord Line.
Social media users have pointed out that a 12-hour seating-only journey is impractical. Sachindra Saxena remarked, “If only sitting, then it will not be affordable. People will prefer other trains since they are more comfortable. A journey of twelve hours and that too just sitting will definitely not be comfortable and will be expensive.”
Another user, Vinay Nale, suggested changing the train’s schedule, commenting, “Change the timing of the train… Evening or night instead of morning.”
Criticism also surfaced regarding the fare and travel time. Akshay Dalal posted, “Enjoy the sleepless travel with hyped prices.” Tejas Autkar added, “What a waste. That’s going to flop with the Vande Bharat hype. It should have saved 4-5 hours.”
The Vande Bharat will run with two rakes and will undergo primary maintenance at Nagpur. The inaugural run is likely to be scheduled soon, after which it will commence regular operations.
