Railway Minister Flags Off Pune–Jodhpur and Chennai–Jodhpur Express Trains
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 3rd May 2025: The inaugural run of two new express trains—Pune (Hadapsar)–Jodhpur Express and MGR Chennai Central–Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi) Express—was flagged off by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology. The Pune–Jodhpur Express was flagged off at Pune Railway Station, while the Chennai–Jodhpur Express was flagged off through video conferencing.
The event at Pune Railway Station witnessed the presence of Union Minister of State of Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Member of Parliament Medha Kulkarni, and MLA Sunil Kamble. Simultaneously, dignitaries gathered at Jodhpur Railway Station included Union Minister of State of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Mayor of Jodhpur Vanita Seth, Members of Parliament Rajendra Gehlot and Lumbaram Choudhary, and MLAs Atul Bhansali and Devendra Joshi.
Union Minister of State of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan also joined the ceremony via video conferencing.
Central Railway General Manager Dharam Veer Meena welcomed the dignitaries and briefed them about the significance of the new services.
The Pune–Jodhpur Express aims to enhance connectivity between Maharashtra and Rajasthan, while the Chennai–Jodhpur route strengthens ties between Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. The trains are expected to facilitate smoother travel, boost trade and tourism, and promote cultural and economic integration across regions.
Inaugural Run Details – Hadapsar (Pune) to Jodhpur Express:
• Train No. 01401 departed from Hadapsar, Pune at 17:30 hrs on May 3, 2025, and is scheduled to reach Jodhpur at 14:00 hrs on May 4, 2025.
Regular Services – Hadapsar to Jodhpur Express:
Train No. 20496 will depart from Hadapsar at 19:15 hrs daily starting May 6, 2025, and arrive at Jodhpur at 15:10 hrs the following day.
Train No. 20495 will depart from Jodhpur at 22:00 hrs daily starting May 5, 2025, and arrive at Hadapsar at 17:10 hrs the next day.
Halts for the Regular Train Service:
Pune, Chinchwad, Lonavala, Kalyan, Vasai Road, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Geratpur, Ahmedabad, Mahesana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Pindwara, Jawai Bandh, Falna, Rani, Marwar Junction, Pali Marwar, and Luni.
Coach Composition:
The train will include Two AC-2 Tier, Three AC-3 Tier, Two AC-3 Tier Economy, Seven Sleeper Class, Four General Second Class, One General Second Class cum Guard’s Brake Van, and One Generator Van.
Reservation:
Bookings for Train No. 20496 will open on May 5, 2025, at all computerized reservation centres and on the IRCTC website: www.irctc.co.in
