Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the newly launched Nanded-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express as a “gateway to prosperity” for the Marathwada region during its inauguration via video conference from Mumbai’s state secretariat on Tuesday. A formal ceremony took place at Nanded railway station, marking a milestone in connecting the pilgrimage hub to the state capital.

Fadnavis emphasized Nanded’s importance as a key Sikh pilgrimage center, home to Hazur Sahib, one of the five Takhts of Sikhism. “This train will offer devotees, tourists, and commuters a fast, safe, and comfortable journey,” he said, noting that the service slashes travel time for the 610-km journey to 9–9.5 hours, compared to the 11+ hours of older trains like the Devgiri Express. The train, extended from its previous Jalna-Mumbai route, now boasts 20 coaches—up from 8—with a seating capacity of 1,440, nearly tripling its previous limit.

“The Vande Bharat is a symbol of modern India under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership,” Fadnavis said, praising the train’s indigenous design and world-class amenities, including Wi-Fi, plush seating, and KAVACH safety technology. He highlighted its role in addressing Marathwada’s historical backwardness by enhancing connectivity to Mumbai, fostering economic and tourism growth. The train links key cities like Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad, Manmad, Nashik, Kalyan, Thane, and Dadar, benefiting pilgrims visiting sites like Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and Ajanta-Ellora caves.

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Operating six days a week—except Wednesdays from Nanded and Thursdays from Mumbai’s CSMT—the service is set to boost trade, tourism, and regional development. Regular runs begin August 27, with Train No. 20705 departing Nanded at 5:00 AM and arriving at CSMT by 2:25 PM, and Train No. 20706 leaving Mumbai at 1:10 PM, reaching Nanded by 10:50 PM. “This is a proud moment for Marathwada,” Fadnavis added, congratulating residents on the transformative link.

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