Shamlaji: In a significant decision benefiting thousands of devotees as well as residents of Aravalli district, the Ministry of Railways has approved a stoppage of the Vande Bharat Express at Shamlaji Road railway station on the Asarwa (Ahmedabad)–Udaipur route. The approval has been granted following a written representation by Sabarkantha MP Shobhanaben M. Baraiya to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, citing the religious importance of the Shamlaji pilgrimage site and the large number ...Read More

Ahmedabad: In a move aimed at accommodating increased passenger demand, the Western Railway has announced the temporary augmentation of coaches in the Vande Bharat Express operating between Mumbai Central railway station and Ahmedabad Junction railway station. According to railway officials, Train No. 22961/22962 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express will be augmented with four additional coaches, increasing the total composition from 16 coaches to 20 coaches. Th...Read More

Surat: A stone-pelting incident targeting the Mumbai-bound Vande Bharat Express near Bhestan railway station in Surat triggered swift action by railway authorities on Thursday evening. The incident occurred when a group of children allegedly threw stones at the train while playing, damaging the windowpane of one of the coaches. The matter came to light after a passenger informed railway staff about the damaged window. The information was subsequently relayed at the next station, prompting the S...Read More

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

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 i...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

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

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