The Central Railway (CR) has proposed a new Vande Bharat train service between Mumbai and Jalna, pending approval from the Railway Board. If sanctioned, this will mark the fourth Vande Bharat train originating from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
The proposal, as disclosed by Hindustan Times, outlines a six-day-a-week operation covering a distance of 434 km. While introducing this service, the proposed train’s timetable is expected to impact the schedules of 19 other trains, including local services.
The anticipated disruption includes 13 long-distance trains and six local services, with potential delays of three to five minutes for local trains to Kasara, Badlapur, Asangaon, and Titwala. The proposed route suggests the Vande Bharat will run on the 6th line on the Kalyan-Vidyavihar route. Long-distance trains such as Solapur-Mumbai Vande Bharat and 12202 Kochuveli-LTT Garib Rath Express may also be affected.
A letter from CR to the Railway Board hints at necessary adjustments to accommodate the new express, potentially causing delays to the mentioned trains. Although no official decision has been made, sources indicate ongoing discussions regarding the implementation, with a likely start date in January.
The proposed Vande Bharat train is designed to halt at Thane, Nasik, Manmad, and Aurangabad stations in both directions. The suggested schedule indicates a swift 6-hour and 50-minute journey from Jalna to CSMT, departing at 5.05 am and arriving at 11.55 am. The return journey from CSMT to Jalna is slated to depart at 1.10 pm, reaching Jalna at 8.30 pm, taking 7 hours and 20 minutes.
This initiative holds significance as it addresses the longstanding demand for enhanced train connectivity between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mumbai. Track testing on the Jalna-Manmad section is currently in progress, with expectations of the train achieving an average speed of 130 kmph, while the entire route maintains an average speed of 59-64 kmph.
