Railways – New Nanded and Tanakpur Services Expand Regional Connectivity
Railways – Rail connectivity between Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand received a boost on Monday after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Nanded-Mumbai Express and Tanakpur-Nanded Express through video conferencing from Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar. He also inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit service to Shahjahanpur.
Indian Railways connectivity update –
The new services are expected to improve travel options for passengers across several regions. Vaishnaw said the Tanakpur-Nanded Express addresses a long-pending demand from Sikh passengers in the Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand who travel to Hazur Sahib in Nanded.
Direct Link for Sikh Pilgrims
The minister said the train would help members of the Sikh community maintain easier access to the Panj Takht, the five major Sikh religious seats. The new route is expected to make journeys to Nanded Sahib more convenient for pilgrims from towns and districts in the Terai region.
Vaishnaw also acknowledged requests for the train to halt at Khatima and Banbasa. He said railway officials would review the proposal in the coming days and consider adding the stops if operationally feasible.
Nanded-Mumbai Train to Serve Vidarbha and Marathwada
Speaking about the Nanded-Mumbai Express, Vaishnaw said the service would strengthen rail access for passengers in Washim, Hingoli and Basmat. The train is expected to support travel requirements for people living in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada by offering an additional connection to Mumbai.
The minister also announced that the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train, which previously ended at Pilibhit, will now run up to Shahjahanpur. In another development, the Tanakpur-Agra service, which had been operated as a special train, has been converted into a regular service.
Railway Expansion and Electrification Progress
During his address, Vaishnaw outlined several infrastructure developments undertaken by Indian Railways in recent years. He said nearly 37,000 kilometres of new railway tracks had been added over the past 12 years, while electrification across the network had reached 99.6 per cent.
According to the minister, the expansion programme has been supported by sustained investment in rail infrastructure. He said the work has increased capacity across the network and helped modernise railway operations in different parts of the country.
Freight Corridors and Bullet Train Work
Vaishnaw said work on the Bullet Train project was progressing at pace, with the service expected to begin next year. He also stated that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors had been completed.
He said a new east-west freight corridor is planned to connect Dankuni in West Bengal with Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The proposed route is expected to improve freight movement and strengthen logistics links across eastern and central India.
Focus on Affordable Passenger Travel
The minister said Indian Railways remains focused on affordable travel for low-income and middle-class passengers. He noted that the production of around 12,000 general coaches is under way, with nearly 4,000 already added to train services.
Vaishnaw said the expansion of general coaches is intended to increase capacity in affordable travel segments rather than concentrate only on premium services. He added that the Railways operated about 15,000 special trains during the summer season that ended on June 30.
For upcoming festival travel, more than 300 special trains are planned for the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. The Railways will also run over 100 special services during the Onam festival in Kerala.