The Ministry of Railways has approved a new Vande Bharat Express service between Udaipur City and Asarva (Ahmedabad), according to an official communication from the Railway Board. The initiative is aimed at strengthening semi-high-speed rail connectivity between southern Rajasthan and Gujarat while streamlining existing Vande Bharat operations in the region. The Railways is yet to announce the official launch date.
Udaipur MP Manna Lal Rawat confirmed the approval and thanked the Railway Minister for sanctioning the service. He also urged the Railways to consider extending the train to Surat, Gujarat’s second-largest city.
Timings and stoppages
The new train pair, 26963/26964 Udaipur–Asarva (Ahmedabad) Vande Bharat Express, will run six days a week, except Tuesday, with primary maintenance at Udaipur and deployment of one Vande Bharat rake.
Train No. 26963: Udaipur → Asarva
- Udaipur City: Depart 06:10
- Zawar: Arrive 06:43, Depart 06:45
- Dungarpur: Arrive 07:48, Depart 07:50
- Himmatnagar: Arrive 09:05, Depart 09:07
- Asarva (Ahmedabad): Arrive 10:25
Train No. 26964: Asarva → Udaipur
- Asarva (Ahmedabad): Depart 17:45
- Himmatnagar: Arrive 18:53, Depart 18:55
- Dungarpur: Arrive 20:03, Depart 20:05
- Zawar: Arrive 21:05, Depart 21:07
- Udaipur City: Arrive 22:00
The train will have commercial stoppages at Zawar, Dungarpur and Himmatnagar, improving connectivity for passengers in tribal and semi-urban regions of Rajasthan and northern Gujarat.
Discontinuation of existing services
The Railway Board has also approved the discontinuation of two Vande Bharat services — 20979/20980 Udaipur–Jaipur and 20981/20982 Udaipur–Agra Cantt. — to optimise rake utilisation and better match passenger demand patterns.
Implementation
Railway authorities have been instructed to implement the introduction of the new train and the discontinuation of the existing services from the advance reservation period. If required, the inaugural run may be operated as a special train before being incorporated into the regular timetable, with officials directed to ensure wide publicity and immediate compliance.
The decision is part of Indian Railways’ broader push to expand the Vande Bharat network and enhance fast, comfortable intercity travel across western India.