Railway Minister Flags Off New Express Train Services

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

New Train Services

The Nanded-Mumbai Express is linked with rail connectivity for passengers in Vidarbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra. Washim, Hingoli and Basmat are among the places connected by this service. The Tanakpur-Nanded Express connects Uttarakhand with Maharashtra and provides direct rail access to Hazur Sahib Nanded.

Rail Route Expansion

The Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service was extended up to Shahjahanpur on 6 July 2026. The Tanakpur-Agra train, which earlier ran as a special service, was converted into a regular train on the same day. These changes add to the network of passenger services in northern India.

Bullet Train and Network Projects

Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on 6 July 2026 that work on India’s Bullet Train project is progressing. He said that services are expected to begin next year. On 18 June 2026, he announced a railway expansion plan for Pune that includes nearly doubling rail capacity within 1000 days and adding about 20 train services from Pune.

Important Facts for Exams

• Indian Railways approved 100 expansion projects in 2025-26 with an investment of Rs 1.53 lakh crore.
• The approved projects cover new lines, doubling and multitracking across more than 6,000 kilometres of railway network.
• Hazur Sahib Nanded is a major Sikh pilgrimage destination in Maharashtra.
• Tanakpur is a railway station in Uttarakhand and Nanded is a railway hub in Maharashtra.