16 June,2026 10:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The introduction of the Pune–Danapur Amrit Bharat Express will provide direct and affordable rail connectivity between Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
The Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express will be flagged off from Hadapsar Railway Station on Wednesday by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in the presence of other dignitaries, according to an official statement.
The new service will be Maharashtra's eighth Amrit Bharat Express and the second for Pune Division, aimed at providing affordable long-distance travel for the common man.
Pune, a major educational, IT and automobile hub of Maharashtra, hosts several prominent institutions, research centres and industrial zones including Hinjawadi IT Park and the Chakan automobile cluster. The city continues to attract students, professionals and business travellers from across the country.
The introduction of the Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express will provide direct and affordable rail connectivity between Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
The service is expected to benefit students appearing for competitive examinations, job aspirants, and migrant workers.
It will also assist patients travelling to specialty hospitals in Pune and medical facilities in Patna, besides supporting small traders and providing a reliable travel option during festive periods such as Chhath Puja, Holi, and Diwali.
The Amrit Bharat Express is designed as a modern, cost-effective long-distance train aimed at improving travel experience for economically weaker and middle-class passengers. The train is equipped with Kavach safety system, LED lighting, ergonomically designed seats, and berths with mobile charging points, CCTV surveillance, Divyangjan-friendly toilets, and a public address and passenger information system.
Train number 11431 Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express will depart from Pune every Saturday at 3.30 pm and reach Danapur at 1.30 am on Monday.
In the return direction, train number 11432 Danapur-Pune Amrit Bharat Express will depart Danapur every Monday at 3.30 am and arrive in Pune at 11.05 am on Tuesday.
The train will have scheduled halts at Daund Chord Line, Ahilyanagar, Belapur, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Cheoki, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, and Ara.
The service will operate with 18 LHB coaches.
Officials said the introduction of the new train service will improve regional connectivity, promote trade and tourism, and enhance passenger convenience across the corridor.
