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 ...Read More

Ahmedabad: The newly launched Udaipur–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express had been a subject of debate among travelers over its schedule. Railway authorities have now revealed that the train’s timings have been deliberately structured to promote tourism across Ahmedabad and nearby areas from Udaipur and to strengthen regional connectivity. During the inaugural run of the train on February 16 from Udaipur, Divisional Railway Manager of the Ahmedabad Division, Western Railway, Ved Prakash, explain...Read More

Vadodara: The Vadodara Division of Western Railway has successfully conducted a trial of a drone-based live-line overhead electrical equipment (OHE) monitoring and inspection system at Pratapnagar Yard. The initiative by the Traction Distribution Department marks a significant step toward strengthening railway safety and infrastructure reliability. The advanced drone system enables inspection of OHE without disrupting rail traffic. Equipped with a high-resolution thermal camera, the drone can a...Read More

Mumbai: For the convenience of passengers and to meet the surge in travel demand during the Holi festival, Western Railway has extended the trips of several special trains. Booking for the extended services of Train Nos. 09211, 09212, 09530, 09529, 09051, 09052, 09057, 09058, 09005, 09006, 09085, 09086, 09049, 09050, 09001, and 09002 will open from February 17, 2026, at all PRS counters and on the IRCTC website. According to railway officials, the Gandhigram–Botad (09211) and Botad–Gandhigr...Read More

Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s semi-high-speed rail network is set to expand further from February 16 with the launch of the Asarva–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express, connecting another city in the state to the country’s fastest operational train. With Himmatnagar now receiving Vande Bharat connectivity, the total number of Gujarat cities and towns linked by the service will rise to 21. The newly introduced train will operate between Udaipur City in Rajasthan and Asarva in Ahmedabad, with a key halt at ...Read More

Ahmedabad: The highly anticipated Vande Bharat Express connecting Ahmedabad and Udaipur is scheduled for its inaugural run on February 16, with regular services set to commence on the 18th. While the train promises modern connectivity, its official schedule has triggered debate among frequent travellers, tourists, and pilgrims in Gujarat, many of whom claim the timings favour Udaipur residents while inconveniencing passengers from Ahmedabad. Concerns Over an “Unviable” Tourist Schedule T...Read More

Ahmedabad: North Western Railway has announced the introduction of the Udaipur City–Asarva (Ahmedabad)–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26963/26964), marking a major boost to high-speed rail connectivity between southern Rajasthan and Gujarat. According to the official notification, the inaugural one-way special run (Train No. 09663) from Udaipur City to Asarva will operate on February 16, 2026. The train will depart from Udaipur City at 12:25 pm and reach Asarva at 5:15 pm, halting...Read More

New Delhi: The Railway Board has stepped up efforts to advance the newly announced 2,100-km Dankuni–Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, a key rail infrastructure project highlighted in the Union Budget 2026. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has instructed officials to fast-track execution of the corridor, which is intended to boost east-west freight movement and ease congestion on the existing railway network. Stretching from West Bengal to Gujarat, the route will pass through Jharkhand, Odi...Read More

Ahmedabad: Between January 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, nearly 32 lakh passengers travelled on five pairs of Vande Bharat trains operating from Gujarat over a 13-month period. According to Western Railway, the Vande Bharat Express has emerged as a preferred choice due to its high speed and comfort-oriented travel experience. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Mumbai service recorded an occupancy rate of 140%, while the Ahmedabad–Okha route maintained around 90% occupancy. The Sabarmati–Jodhpur Vand...Read More

Kutch: Indian Railways will now transport industrial salt using stainless steel containers, following a successful trial run conducted at Gandhidham in the Western Railway zone. The development marks a significant advancement in freight handling. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the achievement in a post on X, noting that the trial on the Bhimasar–Gandhidham section demonstrated a container design offering strong corrosion resistance, extended service life, reduced need for manua...Read More