New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a new Vande Bharat Express service between Udaipur and Asarwa (Ahmedabad), even as two existing Vande Bharat trains originating from Udaipur are scheduled to be withdrawn this week.

The upcoming Udaipur–Ahmedabad service will replace the current Udaipur–Agra Cantt and Udaipur–Jaipur Vande Bharat routes.

As per the North Western Railway (NWR):

• Train No. 20981/82 (Udaipur City–Agra Cantt) will cease operations from February 15, 2026.

• Train No. 20979/80 (Udaipur City–Jaipur) will be discontinued from February 14, 2026.

This restructuring is part of Indian Railways’ broader effort to optimise services in response to fluctuating passenger demand and revenue trends.

Udaipur–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat: Schedule and stops

The newly approved Vande Bharat Express between Udaipur City and Asarwa (Ahmedabad) will operate six days a week, remaining off service on Tuesdays.

Timings:

• Train No. 26963 will depart Udaipur at 6:10 AM and arrive at Asarwa at 10:25 AM.

• Train No. 26964 will leave Asarwa at 5:45 PM and reach Udaipur at 10:00 PM.

Halts: Zawar, Dungarpur and Himmat Nagar.

Designed for semi-high-speed travel, the train is capable of reaching speeds up to 160 kmph, enabling faster and more comfortable connectivity between Rajasthan and Gujarat. The service will be operated and maintained by the North Western Railway zone.

Kerala routes record highest occupancy

Even as several Vande Bharat services across the country report modest passenger numbers, three trains operating from Kerala are currently leading in occupancy levels.

These Kerala services are reported to have occupancy rates nearing 200 percent, making them the best-performing Vande Bharat routes nationwide. In contrast, nearly half of the 82 Vande Bharat trains in operation are witnessing comparatively lower patronage, with more than 30 services—including the Mangaluru–Goa Vande Bharat—running with vacant seats.

Railway officials have expressed concern over revenue variability, particularly on certain eight-coach Vande Bharat services.

Reasons behind fluctuating demand

Although Vande Bharat trains are regarded as India’s most punctual rail services, passenger demand varies significantly by route. Railway sources indicate that route alignment and regional travel patterns play a major role in determining occupancy levels across different states. DeshGujarat