Himmatnagar: In a move aimed at improving passenger connectivity and catering to increased travel demand during the summer vacation season, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has introduced three new long-distance bus routes under the Himmatnagar Division. The new services have been launched by the Himmatnagar and Idar depots and are expected to benefit devotees and regular passengers travelling on these routes.

Among the newly introduced services, Himmatnagar ST Depot has launched two special buses connecting Himmatnagar to Sanwaliya Seth in Rajasthan via Ahmedabad. The special vacation service commenced on Monday and has been introduced keeping in mind the increase in passenger traffic and the travel needs of devotees visiting the religious destination during the summer holidays.

According to officials, the vacation special service will remain operational from May 25 to June 30, 2026, for an initial period of around one-and-a-half months. Himmatnagar ST Depot Manager H.R. Patel said the initiative was taken to provide convenient travel arrangements for pilgrims heading to Sanwaliya Seth during the vacation period.

Officials added that if the route receives a positive response and generates sufficient passenger traffic, the corporation may consider extending the service beyond the current period.

As per the schedule, the bus will depart from Himmatnagar at 8:37 am and reach Ahmedabad at 10:30 am. It will then leave Ahmedabad at 11 am and arrive at Sanwaliya Seth at 7 pm. On the return journey, the bus will depart Sanwaliya Seth at 6 am and reach Ahmedabad at 2 pm before continuing onward to Himmatnagar.

Meanwhile, Idar Depot has also launched two additional routes, Ambaji–Junagadh and Idar–Bodeli, from Tuesday as part of efforts to expand transport services in the region.

The launch ceremony for the new routes was attended by local MLA Raman Vora, Municipal President Ansuyaben Patel, Vice President Vinodbhai Parmar, Jinalbhai Sagar and several elected municipal representatives. Former Taluka Panchayat President Kanti Patel, Arts and Commerce College President Ashwin Patel, Ranvijay Singh Champawat, BJP leader Kunal Kansara, Nagarik Bank Chairman Pikesh Shah, Piyush Dave, Rajesh Parmar, Manish Shah and other BJP workers were also present on the occasion. DeshGujarat