Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off New Express Trains, Extends Tanakpur Service to Shahjahanpur

Bhubaneswar, July 6, 2026: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday inaugurated two new express train services—Nanded-Mumbai Express and Tanakpur-Nanded Express—and also flagged off the extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service up to Shahjahanpur through video conferencing from Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar.

New Train Services to Boost Regional Connectivity

Addressing the virtual inauguration ceremony, Vaishnaw said the newly introduced train services would strengthen railway connectivity and meet the long-pending travel needs of passengers across several regions.

The Minister highlighted that the Tanakpur-Nanded Express fulfils a long-standing demand of the Sikh community residing in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand by providing direct rail connectivity to Hazur Sahib Nanded, one of Sikhism’s revered Panj Takhts.

He noted that the service would make religious travel more convenient while improving connectivity for thousands of devotees.

Demand for Additional Stops Under Review

Vaishnaw also responded to requests for additional halts on the route, stating that the Railway Ministry would examine the feasibility of providing stoppages at Khatima and Banbasa.

He said the proposal would be reviewed in the coming days, and suitable action would be taken if operationally feasible.

Nanded-Mumbai Express to Benefit Vidarbha and Marathwada

Speaking about the Nanded-Mumbai Express, the Railway Minister said the new train would improve rail connectivity for passengers from Washim, Hingoli and Basmat, while offering better travel options for people across the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra.

In another announcement, Vaishnaw said the Tanakpur-Pilibhit service has now been extended up to Shahjahanpur, while the Tanakpur-Agra train, which had earlier been operated as a special service, has now been converted into a regular train.

Railway Infrastructure Witnessing Rapid Growth

Highlighting the transformation of Indian Railways over the past 12 years, the Minister said approximately 37,000 kilometres of new railway lines have been constructed, describing it as an unprecedented achievement in the country’s railway history.

He added that railway electrification has reached 99.6 per cent, significantly improving operational efficiency and supporting environmentally sustainable transport.

Bullet Train and Freight Corridor Projects Progressing

Vaishnaw said work on India’s Bullet Train project is progressing at a rapid pace and expressed confidence that services are expected to commence next year.

He also stated that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors have been completed. In addition, the government plans to develop a new East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dankuni in West Bengal with Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to strengthen freight movement across the country.

Focus on Affordable Rail Travel

The Railway Minister reiterated that Indian Railways continues to prioritise affordable transportation for poor and middle-class passengers.

He said around 12,000 general coaches are currently under production, with nearly 4,000 coaches already deployed across various trains to enhance passenger capacity and improve accessibility.

Special Trains for Festivals

Vaishnaw also highlighted that Indian Railways operated nearly 15,000 special trains during the summer travel season that concluded on June 30, describing it as a record initiative.

Looking ahead, he announced that more than 300 special trains will be operated during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, while over 100 special trains will be run during the Onam festival in Kerala to accommodate increased passenger demand.