Valsad: In a major boost to local connectivity, the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express will now halt at Valsad railway station.

The Ministry of Railways, in an official circular today, said that it has approved an experimental stoppage of the 20901/20902 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express at Valsad station. According to a directive issued by the Railway Board, this halt will be implemented at the earliest convenient date.

Furthermore, railway authorities have been instructed to monitor ticket sales at Valsad for a subsequent review of the halt’s viability. However, the timings and revised schedule due to this stoppage of the semi high-speed train are yet to be released.

Notably, there are two Vande Bharat trains plying between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, one of the busiest routes on the railway network. One of them is the Gandhinagar Capital–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, which starts from the state capital and halts at Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Anand, Surat, Vapi, and Borivali before reaching Mumbai Central — and will now also stop at Valsad.

The other is the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, which stops at Ahmedabad Junction, Vadodara Junction, Surat, Vapi, Borivali, and finally Mumbai Central.

Valsad MP Dhaval Patel announced the development on social media, expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the halt.

The decision is expected to improve convenience for passengers and support the region’s economic and social development by enhancing rail connectivity to key destinations. With this Valsad becomes the 19th city of Gujarat to get Vande Bharat connectivity. DeshGujarat