The Solapur–Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai Vande Bharat Express has completed three years of service, marking a major milestone in modern rail connectivity and passenger convenience.
Since its inauguration on February 9, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train has carried over 23 lakh passengers with an impressive occupancy rate of 102.27 per cent, according to the Solapur Division of Central Railway.
The 455-km service, operated as Train Nos. 22226/22225, connects Solapur, known for its textiles and martyrs, with Mumbai, India’s commercial capital.
It reduces travel time to just 6 hours 30 minutes, compared to nearly 8 hours by conventional superfast trains, saving passengers approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Enhancing tourism across Maharashtra
The train has strengthened economic, social, tourism, and religious ties by linking major pilgrimage destinations, including Siddheshwar Temple (Solapur), Akkalkot, Tuljapur, Pandharpur, and Alandi near Pune.
Its popularity among daily commuters, students, business travellers, tourists, and pilgrims has led to an expansion from a 16-coach to a 20-coach rake in August 2025, offering a total seating capacity of 1,440 passengers.
The Vande Bharat Express uses modern push-and-pull technology to efficiently navigate the challenging Bhor Ghat section (Karjat–Lonavala-Khandala) with the steepest gradient of 1 in 37, twice in the same day, without banker locomotives.
The completion of three successful years of service highlights Indian Railways’ commitment to modernisation, passenger comfort, speed, safety, and sustainable transportation, while contributing to regional development and national connectivity.
Mumbai suburban rail travel set for mega transformation with 238 AC Vande Metro trains
Mumbai’s suburban railway network, the lifeline for millions of daily commuters, is poised for a major transformation with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) initiating a competitive bidding process for 238 state-of-the-art Vande Metro Air-Conditioned electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets. The new fleet will include 2,856 next-generation coaches under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-3 and 3-A.
Unlike conventional train procurements, the project comes with a 35-year comprehensive maintenance framework, signalling a long-term commitment to passenger safety, comfort, and operational reliability. MRVC in a press release issued on Saturday, said the move aims to ensure sustained benefits for millions of Mumbaikars for decades.
The Vande Metro coaches are designed to redefine suburban travel.
Walk-through trains with wider inter-car gangways will allow better crowd distribution, while roof-mounted and underslung equipment will maximise usable standing and seating space. Ergonomic modular cushioned seating will include dedicated spaces for persons with disabilities and wheelchair users, and larger windows will enhance visibility of stations and surroundings.
Passenger health and comfort are a priority. Advanced HVAC systems with high-efficiency filtration will reduce viruses and bacteria, while automatic air regulation will adapt to passenger load. Safety features include automatic sliding doors with obstacle detection, smoke and fire alarms, CCTV, Passenger Emergency Alarm (PEA), Emergency Talk Back (ETB) systems, and external sidewall cameras for monitoring boarding and deboarding. High-visibility LED displays will indicate destination, rake length, and Fast or Slow service.
