Vande Bharat services Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune and Belagavi–Bengaluru launched/flagged off in August 2025. Fast timings, strong connectivity and social buzz make them. Ajni–Pune service will run with fixed timings from 11–12 August; Bengaluru–Belagavi service flagged off from 10 August.

Route 1: Pune ⇄ Ajni (Nagpur) Vande Bharat — step-by-step

When does it run and for how long?

Pune→Ajni (Train 26101): Departure 06:25, Arrival 18:25 (effective 11.08.2025)

Ajni→Pune (Train 26102): Departure 09:50, Arrival 21:50 (effective 12.08.2025)

Average ~12 hours journey, 6 days a week (does not run from Pune on Tuesdays, from Ajni on Mondays).

Main stops (as per timetable):

Wardha, Badnera (Amravati), Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Daund Chord Line.

What to do in between (stay/stopover plan):

Note: Vande Bharat stops are short; cover these places as a “break-journey” or on a separate day.

1. Shegaon: Shri Gajanan Maharaj Temple Darshan.

2. Jalgaon: Gateway to Ajanta Caves (day-trip; further Ch. Sambhajinagar/Manmad connection to Ellora).

3.Manmad/Kopargaon: Easiest rail/road connect for Shirdi Darshan.

4. Ahmednagar: Fort, historical walk; Shaniwar Wada, FC Road food trail after Pune.

Route 2: Belagavi ⇄ Bengaluru Vande Bharat — Step-by-Step

Launch & Timings (One direction lead times):
Belagavi→KSR Bengaluru (Train 26751): Belagavi 05:20 → Dharwad → SSS Hubballi → Haveri → Davanagere → Tumakuru → Yesvantpur → KSR Bengaluru 13:50. Service flagged-off on 10 Aug 2025; Operator South Western Railway.

What to do in between (break-journey/next day):

Belagavi: Gokak Falls (amazing in monsoons), Kittur Fort side-trip.

Dharwad/Hubballi: Nrupatunga Betta; Dharwad peda food-stop.

Davanagere: Benne-dosai breakfast trail.

Tumakuru: Devarayanadurga hikes/temples.

Bengaluru: Cubbon Park, Church Street cafés, Lalbagh.

(With a 5:20 am departure to Belagavi, many passengers said it was “too early”—arrange stay/cab accordingly while planning.)

 

A-to-Z: Booking, Meals, Classes, Onboard Experience

1) How to book tickets (Step-by-Step on IRCTC):

1. Login to IRCTC → Select From/To, Date in “Plan My Journey”

2. Select train from “Vande Bharat” filter → Select CC (Chair Car) or EC (Executive)

3. Select Meal option (Veg/Non-Veg/No Meal). Meals can be added/changed even after booking from “Booked Ticket History → Opt Meal”.

2) Choosing a class: CC vs EC (what’s better for whom?)

CC (3×2 layout): Economical, ergonomic—good for short/mid-range.

EC (2×2 layout): Wider seats, more legroom and better recline—for long journeys/premium comfort.

3) Onboard features (General Vande Bharat):
Automatic doors, large panoramic windows, onboard catering, modern chair-car layout; EC has provision for rotatable seats on many rakes. (Feature availability may vary rake-to-rake).

Pro-tips:

Keep a separate day for religious/heritage detours (Shegaon, Shirdi, Ajanta) on Ajni–Pune.

Book pre-night hotels/homestays on Belagavi–Bengaluru as departures are very early.

Didn’t choose miles? Opt-in possible later—it’s safe to do so 24–48 hours before travel.