Hutatma Express completes 25 years of service

The Hutatma Express, one of the most popular inter-city trains connecting Solapur and Pune, completed 25 years of uninterrupted service on Tuesday (July 14, 2026), marking its silver jubilee and reaffirming its role as a vital transport link for commuters, students, business travellers and tourists.

The Solapur Division of Central Railway celebrated the milestone, noting that the train, introduced on July 15, 2001, has become synonymous with reliable connectivity, passenger convenience and regional development over the past quarter century.

Operating as Train No. 12158 (Solapur–Pune) and Train No. 12157 (Pune–Solapur), the Hutatma Express covers the 263-km route in about four hours. The train stops at important stations, including Kurduvadi and Daund, and currently operates with 16 coaches, comprising one AC Chair Car, one AC III-Tier Economy coach, two Sleeper Class coaches and ten Second Class Sitting coaches, catering to passengers from different sections of the society.

According to the Railway, the train was introduced to provide a fast, comfortable and dependable daytime rail service between the two cities and has since emerged as one of the most preferred trains on the Solapur–Pune corridor. It has played a key role in facilitating daily commuting, promoting trade and commerce, supporting education, improving access to healthcare and encouraging tourism, thereby contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the region.

Named after four martyrs

The Hutatma Express derives its name from the four martyrs of Solapur’s freedom struggle – Jagannath Shinde, Kurban Hussain, Kisan Sarda and Mallappa Dhanshetti – whose sacrifice during India’s freedom movement continues to inspire generations. The train serves as a moving tribute to their patriotism and keeps their memory alive.

As Hutatma Express enters its 26th year of service, the celebrations mark not only an important operational milestone but also the enduring relationship between the Railways and the communities it serves.

The Solapur Division said it remains committed to further improving passenger comfort, safety and service quality to ensure that the iconic train continues to uphold its legacy of connecting people, places and opportunities for many more years.