Ahmedabad: The newly launched Vande Bharat Express between Asarwa (Ahmedabad) and Udaipur City, inaugurated on February 16, 2026, has turned out to be one of the slowest-running Vande Bharat services originating from Gujarat in terms of average operational speed, despite the corridor being designed for semi-high-speed travel.

The train covers a distance of 296 km in approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, with three commercial halts at Himmatnagar, Dungarpur and Zawar. This results in an average speed of about 70 kmph, lower than several other Vande Bharat services from the state. The Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Vande Bharat, for instance, runs 493 km in 5 hours and 40 minutes at an average of around 87 kmph, while the Ahmedabad-Okha service maintains roughly 78 kmph on the Ahmedabad-Jamnagar stretch. The Sabarmati-Jodhpur Vande Bharat averages close to 76 kmph, whereas the Sabarmati-Veraval service records about 63 kmph and remains the slowest in Gujarat.

Geographical and infrastructure constraints

It is learnt, that the comparatively lower speed on the Asarwa-Udaipur section is primarily due to geographical and infrastructure constraints rather than limitations of the Vande Bharat rolling stock.

Although the route is approved for a maximum permissible speed of up to 160 kmph and has been converted from metre gauge to broad gauge with modern safety provisions, significant stretches pass through the Aravalli hill range, particularly between Umra and Zawar.

The elevation profile affects performance. Asarwa station lies at roughly 75 metres above sea level, after which the line climbs steadily through the Aravallis to about 275 metres at Dungarpur, nearly 350 metres near Zawar, and approximately 581 metres at Udaipur City. Continuous gradients combined with hilly terrain and curvature typical of mountain sections require controlled acceleration and braking, reducing the train’s overall average speed despite its higher design capability.

Stabilisation and safety measures still underway

Operational speeds on newly electrified broad-gauge corridors are often temporarily restricted during initial years due to stabilisation work, sectional limits and ongoing safety upgrades.

The Asarwa-Udaipur rail corridor itself represents a major infrastructure transition. The gauge-converted line was dedicated in October 2022 and electrified for passenger services by early 2025. Improvements such as road under-bridges, enhanced track geometry and the elimination of unmanned level crossings have been introduced to support higher-speed operations in the future.

While, safety fencing is another key factor. Indian Railways mandates protective fencing at vulnerable locations on sections permitting speeds above 110 kmph, with continuous fencing becoming essential where speeds exceed 130 kmph to prevent trespassing by humans or animals. As fencing and related safety works are being implemented in phases along this corridor, sectional speed restrictions remain necessary until full compliance with high-speed safety standards is achieved.

Scope for future speed increase

Despite its lower average speed, the Vande Bharat Express is currently the fastest train operating on the Asarwa-Udaipur route. Travelers, expect gradual improvements in running speed as track certification, signalling upgrades and operational refinements progress over time. DeshGujarat