Dahod: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express that will connect Ahmedabad with the iconic Somnath pilgrimage site, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting tourism in the Saurashtra region. The flag-off ceremony was held via video conferencing from a public meeting in Dahod, during the Prime Minister’s two-day visit to his home state of Gujarat.

In addition to the new Vande Bharat service, PM Modi also flagged off a new daily express train between Valsad and Dahod, aimed at meeting the long-standing travel demands of residents in both areas.

According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26901/26902) will commence its regular run from May 27, 2025.

As per the schedule, Train No. 26901 Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express will depart from Sabarmati at 05:25 hrs and reach Veraval at 12:25 hrs the same day. On the return journey, Train No. 26902 Veraval–Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express will depart from Veraval at 14:40 hrs and arrive at Sabarmati at 21:35 hrs the same day.

The train will operate six days a week, excluding Thursdays, and will cover a distance of 438 km in approximately seven hours. Key stoppages along the route include Viramgam, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Rajkot, Bhakti Nagar, and Junagadh.

This is the second Vande Bharat service introduced in the Saurashtra region—the first being the Ahmedabad–Okha Vande Bharat Express, which connects Gujarat’s largest city with the coastal temple town of Dwarka. With the addition of this new service, pilgrims and tourists will gain improved access not only to Somnath but also to Junagadh’s Girnar Hills, another major pilgrimage and tourism destination.

The launch of this high-speed, fully electric Vande Bharat Express is expected to significantly enhance the passenger experience with reduced travel time and modern onboard amenities, reinforcing the government’s focus on rail infrastructure modernization.

Here is the full timetable of Sabarmati – Veraval – Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express: