India's Vande Bharat Express network is expanding rapidly, reaching a significant milestone of 75 operational routes with the introduction of three new services on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off these new trains, highlighting the government's commitment to improving rail connectivity and passenger experience across the country.

The three new Vande Bharat Express routes are:

• Ajni (Nagpur) - Pune: This service will benefit business people, students, and employees who frequently travel between these two important cities in Maharashtra. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Mondays, departing from Ajni at 9:50 am and reaching Pune at 9:50 pm. The return journey will start from Pune at 6:25 am and arrive in Ajni at 6:25 pm. Key stops include Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, and Daund Chord Line. Fares are set at ₹1,500 for Chair Car (CC) and ₹3,000 for Executive Chair Car (EC). This is the 12th Vande Bharat service for Maharashtra.
• KSR Bengaluru - Belagavi: This train aims to provide faster and more comfortable travel between the northern and southern parts of Karnataka. Operating six days a week, except Wednesdays, the train will depart from Belagavi at 5:20 am and reach Bengaluru at 1:50 pm. The return journey will commence from Bengaluru at 2:20 pm and arrive in Belagavi at 10:40 pm. Stops include Yeshwantpur, Tumakuru, Devanagere, Haveri, Hubballi, and Dharwad. The fares for this route are ₹1,575 for CC and ₹2,905 for EC, inclusive of catering charges. The regular service will start on August 11.
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Amritsar: This service will improve connectivity to the pilgrimage town of Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. The train will run six days a week, except Tuesdays, departing from Katra at 6:40 am and reaching Amritsar at 12:20 pm. The return train will leave Amritsar at 4:25 pm and arrive in Katra at 10:00 pm, with stops at Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City, and Vyas.

The Vande Bharat Express trains have gained popularity for their speed, comfort, and modern features. These semi-high-speed trains are equipped with amenities such as KAVACH safety system, higher acceleration, UV-C lamp-based disinfection, jerk-free couplers, automatic plug doors, wider gangways, CCTV surveillance, and improved fire safety measures. These trains have special lavatories for Divyangjan passengers.

The Vande Bharat Express trains have consistently recorded high occupancy rates, reflecting their strong demand. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the overall occupancy of Vande Bharat Express trains in the financial year 2024-25 was 102.01% and has increased to 105.03% in the current fiscal year (till June 2025).

Looking ahead, Indian Railways is planning to introduce sleeper versions of the Vande Bharat Express for overnight journeys. These sleeper trains will feature AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier coaches, with a total capacity of 1,128 passengers in a 16-coach configuration. The sleeper trains aim to redefine overnight travel with features such as hot water showers, modular pantries, and touch-free bio-vacuum toilets. Potential routes for the sleeper trains include New Delhi-Howrah, New Delhi-Mumbai, and New Delhi-Pune.

With the addition of these new routes and the upcoming launch of sleeper versions, the Vande Bharat Express is poised to play an increasingly important role in transforming India's railway landscape, offering passengers a modern, efficient, and comfortable travel experience.