Solapur–Mumbai Vande Bharat Upgraded to 20 Coaches
26 Aug 2025 CW Team
The Central Railway has announced a major expansion of the Solapur–CSMT Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, which will operate with 20 coaches from 28 August to meet growing passenger demand. The popular high-speed service will now offer additional capacity and a smoother travel experience for commuters.
In response to the surge in bookings, the Solapur Division has added four more Chair Car coaches, providing an extra 312 seats. Train No. 22225 CSMT Mumbai–Solapur Vande Bharat Express will begin running with the 20-coach rake on 28 August, while Train No. 22226 Solapur–CSMT Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will adopt the same configuration from 29 August.
The upgraded rake increases seating capacity to 1,440 passengers, making it one of the largest Vande Bharat trains in operation. It will feature two Executive Chair Cars with 52 seats each, 16 standard Chair Cars with 78 seats each, and two additional Chair Cars positioned next to the Loco Pilot and Guard Cabin, offering 44 seats each.
Railway officials said the expansion will ease passenger rush and further improve travel between Solapur and Mumbai. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Solapur Division, Yogesh Patil, noted that the train has quickly become one of the most sought-after services in the region, and the increased capacity is expected to boost its popularity even further.