Surat-Ahmedabad-Udaipur Vande Bharat, Valsad-Surat MEMU Operations likely from October 3

Surat: The new Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express is set to begin regular operations from October 3, according to the approved railway timetable. The service will provide direct Vande Bharat connectivity between Surat and Udaipur, covering important cities and towns in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

An inaugural run of the train is expected to be conducted around Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, with the Railway Board allowing the inaugural service to be operated as a special train if required. The regular service will commence thereafter as per the approved timetable.

At the same time, the Valsad-Surat MEMU service is also scheduled to be introduced from October 3.

Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat timetable

As per the approved timetable, Train No. 26903 will depart from Surat at 6:10 am and reach Udaipur City at 1:40 pm, covering the journey in approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

On the return journey, Train No. 26904 will depart from Udaipur City at 3:35 pm and reach Surat at 11:00 pm.

The schedule is designed to provide a full-day connection in both directions, with the train reaching Udaipur in the afternoon and departing for Surat later the same day.

Route and stoppages

The Vande Bharat will have commercial stoppages at Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Maninagar, Asarva, Himmatnagar, Shamlaji Road, Dungarpur and Zawar.

The approved timetable provides connectivity to both Maninagar and Asarva in Ahmedabad, before the train proceeds towards Himmatnagar and Rajasthan.

Direct Vande Bharat link between South Gujarat and Rajasthan

The new service will establish direct Vande Bharat connectivity between Surat and Udaipur, linking major urban and commercial centres including Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Himmatnagar and Dungarpur.

For passengers from South Gujarat, the service will provide a direct premium rail option towards northern Gujarat and southern Rajasthan. The connection is also expected to facilitate travel between Gujarat and Udaipur, a major tourism destination in Rajasthan.

Udaipur-Asarva Vande Bharat to be discontinued

The Railway Board has also approved the discontinuation of Train Nos. 26963/26964 Udaipur City-Asarva Vande Bharat Express.

The existing Udaipur-Asarva service is thus proposed to be replaced or restructured in connection with the new Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat operation.

The Railway Board communication does not specify a final inaugural date for the new regular service. It directs that the introduction may be given effect from the applicable advance reservation period (ARP) or no-booking date, whichever is earlier.

If required, the inaugural operation may be run as a special service, which can subsequently be brought under the regular timetable.

Surat to be primary maintenance base

Under the approved operating plan, Surat will be the primary maintenance location for the new Vande Bharat rake.

Vadodara and Asarva will serve as watering stations, while the service will operate with an eight-car Vande Bharat Express rake.

The approved arrangement will give Surat a direct Vande Bharat connection with Udaipur and extend Vande Bharat connectivity across the Gujarat-Rajasthan corridor.

Valsad-Surat MEMU

According to the Railway Board, Train No. 69149 Valsad–Surat MEMU will depart from Valsad at 1:20 pm and arrive in Surat at 4:40 pm.

The train will have commercial stoppages at Dungri, Joravasan, Bilimora, Amalsad, Ancheli, Vedchha, Gandhi Smriti, Navsari, Maroli, Sachin, Bhestan and Udhna.

As per the approved timetable, the MEMU will depart from Valsad at 1:20 pm and halt at Dungri at 1:35–1:36 pm, Joravasan at 2:03–2:04 pm, Amalsad at 2:09–2:10 pm, Bilimora at 2:30–2:32 pm, Ancheli at 2:39–2:40 pm and Vedchha at 2:58–2:59 pm.

It will reach Gandhi Smriti at 3:09–3:10 pm, Navsari at 3:16–3:18 pm, Maroli at 3:27–3:28 pm, Sachin at 3:35–3:36 pm, Bhestan at 3:55–3:56 pm and Udhna at 4:03–4:05 pm before reaching Surat at 4:40 pm.

The service will run daily and will use the rake of Train No. 69139 Borivali–Valsad MEMU. Its primary maintenance will be carried out at Vadodara. DeshGujarat