Bhavnagar: While the Vande Bharat Express has emerged as a symbol of modern rail travel, connecting 21 cities and towns across Gujarat, local leaders and the main opposition party, Congress, have voiced frustration over the city’s exclusion from the network. Despite the popularity of six existing Vande Bharat trains in the state, Bhavnagar still lacks a direct semi-high-speed rail link to Mumbai or Surat, intensifying demands from both the public and the political opposition.

The demand for improved rail connectivity comes at a time when around 150 to 200 luxury buses operate daily between Bhavnagar and Surat to meet heavy passenger demand.

“If you look at the Bhavnagar–Surat route, 150 to 200 luxury buses are running. Why hasn’t the railway administration started a Vande Bharat train from Bhavnagar to Surat or Mumbai yet? It should run at a time that truly benefits the people of Bhavnagar and makes travel easier,” a local resident told the media.

The opposition has also seized upon the issue, criticising local leaders for failing to secure the train despite representation in both the Central and State governments.

“If you are holding positions as Ministers at the Centre and Cabinet Ministers in the State government, and still cannot secure justice for the people of Bhavnagar regarding this connectivity, then you should resign,” said Congress leader Manoharsinh Gohil.

Responding to the demand, the BJP city president said a formal representation has been submitted to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to local leadership, an assurance has been given that Bhavnagar will be included in upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper train routes. The delay is reportedly linked to ongoing construction work at Surat railway station.

“The upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to include the Bhavnagar–Surat route. As renovation work is ongoing at Surat railway station, we have received a verbal assurance that the service may begin within two to three months,” the BJP city president said.

Residents are now waiting to see whether railway authorities will convert these assurances into a concrete schedule that can ease the region’s long-standing travel difficulties.

As of now, the Gujarat locations connected by Vande Bharat Express services include Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Surat, Valsad, Vapi, Palanpur, Mehsana, Sanand, Viramgam, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Okha, Junagadh, Veraval, Navsari, and Himmatnagar. However, major population centres such as Bharuch, Nadiad, and Bhavnagar are yet to be covered. DeshGujarat