Rail connectivity between Telangana and Maharashtra is set to receive a major upgrade as Indian Railways prepares to launch two new Vande Bharat Express services from Hyderabad and Secunderabad. According to reports, the fresh additions will cover the Hyderabad–Pune and Secunderabad–Nanded routes, reducing travel time by nearly two to three hours. This development marks the third Vande Bharat service connecting Hyderabad to Maharashtra, following the successful operation of the Hyderabad–Nagpur route.
Currently, four Vande Bharat trains operate from Hyderabad, linking the city with Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Yeshvantpur, and Nagpur. With the addition of these new services, South Central Railway will emerge among the top zones with the highest number of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains. Rail officials highlight that the increasing demand and high occupancy on existing services like the Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam, Secunderabad–Tirupati, and Kacheguda–Yeshvantpur routes are driving the expansion, making modern rail travel more accessible for passengers.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway to replace the existing Secunderabad–Pune Shatabdi Express with a Vande Bharat train. The Shatabdi currently takes about eight and a half hours with limited halts, operating six days a week. The introduction of Vande Bharat is expected to offer faster travel, modern facilities, and greater convenience, aligning with the growing popularity of this indigenous semi-high-speed train network. The move is also seen as part of Indian Railways’ broader modernization strategy aimed at enhancing inter-state connectivity and passenger experience.
