Pune: The launch of the Pune-Kolhapur and Pune-Hubli Vande Bharat Express services is set to reduce the travel time between Pune and Kolhapur to just 5 hours and 25 minutes, down from the existing 7 to 7.5 hours. Similarly, travel time between Pune and Hubli will be reduced to 8 hours and 25 minutes.

Key Travel Time Reductions

• Pune to Kolhapur: 5 hours and 25 minutes (reduced from 7-7.5 hours)

• Pune to Hubli: 8 hours and 25 minutes

For the Pune-Kolhapur route (Train No. 20674), the Vande Bharat Express will depart Pune at 2:15 PM and arrive in Kolhapur at 7:40 PM on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The return journey (Train No. 20673) will leave Kolhapur at 8:15 AM and reach Pune by 1:30 PM on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays.

For the Pune-Hubli service (Train No. 20670), the train will depart Pune at 2:15 PM and reach Hubli at 10:45 PM on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. The return journey (Train No. 20669) will leave Hubli at 5:00 AM and reach Pune by 1:30 PM on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Fares and Stops

Both routes will offer Chair Car and Executive Class options. The ticket for the Chair Car on the Pune-Kolhapur route is priced at ₹775, and Executive Class at ₹1565.

For the Pune-Hubli route, Chair Car fares are ₹1150, and Executive Class ₹2360. The trains will stop at key locations including Miraj, Sangli, and Satara, with the Pune-Hubli route also stopping at Dharwad and Belgaum.

The Pune-Hubli service will be inaugurated at Pune station at 4:15 PM on Monday (16th) with a virtual flag-off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.