Western Railway has announced plans to launch a Vande Bharat Express train connecting Ahmedabad to Udaipur, expected to commence operations in late January or February this year. The decision follows the completion of electrification on the Ahmedabad–Himmatnagar–Udaipur route.
The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. Departing Udaipur at 6:10 am, it will reach Ahmedabad at 10:25 am. The return journey will leave Ahmedabad at 5:45 pm, arriving in Udaipur at 10:00 pm.
The service will have a single scheduled halt at Himmatnagar for two minutes, from 9:10 am to 9:12 am during the onward journey and from 6:58 pm to 7:00 pm on the return leg. In Ahmedabad, the train will originate and terminate at Asarwa railway station.
The new train will consist of eight air-conditioned chair car coaches, offering a four-hour travel time between Ahmedabad and Udaipur, which is faster than the approximately five-hour road journey.
The tourism industry in Udaipur has welcomed the development, citing the train’s potential to boost leisure and pilgrimage travel. However, industry representatives expressed concerns about the train’s schedule, suggesting that the timings could better align with hotel check-in and check-out hours, typically around 12 noon.
Udaipur attracts significant tourism traffic from Ahmedabad, including visits to popular sites like Eklingji and Shrinathji temples.
A local industry representative remarked, “The Vande Bharat Express could attract higher occupancy if the timings were adjusted to suit the schedules of tourists and pilgrims. Additionally, the train will provide an excellent option for travellers from the Mewar region who frequently use Ahmedabad airport for onward journeys.”
Despite the enthusiasm, there is some disappointment over the absence of a halt at Dungarpur, which many believe would enhance connectivity for passengers in the region.
Udaipur’s Lok Sabha MP, Manna Lal Rawat, welcomed the introduction of the new train, stating, “This is a significant step forward for connectivity in our region. I urge the authorities to consider introducing Vande Bharat trains to Indore and Surat from Udaipur as well.”
Udaipur is already linked to Jaipur and Agra by Vande Bharat trains, and the new Ahmedabad–Udaipur service is expected to further strengthen regional connectivity.
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