A new direct rail service connecting Kutch with New Delhi was launched on Friday, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participating virtually from Gandhinagar and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joining the flag-off ceremony from Pali, Rajasthan.
The launch of the Bhuj–Delhi Express (Train No. 19403/19404) fulfils a long-pending demand for direct rail connectivity between the border district and the national capital. The train will operate via Bhildi, Jalore, Pali Marwar, and Marwar Junction. Notably, the service also establishes the first-ever direct rail connection between Jalore and New Delhi.
The train will cover a distance of 1,239 kilometres in around 24 hours and 30 minutes and will run on a daily basis. During the journey, the train will halt at 22 stations, including Anjar, Gandhidham BG, Bhachau BG, Bhildi, Dhanera, Raniwara, Marwar Bhinmal, Modran, Jalor, Mokalsar, Samdari Junction, Luni Junction, Pali Marwar, Marwar Junction, Beawar, Ajmer Junction, Kishangarh, Jaipur Junction, Gandhinagar Jaipur, Bandikui Junction, Alwar Junction, and Rewari Junction.
The Bhuj–Delhi Express (Train No. 19403) commenced operations from May 23, 2026, departing from Bhuj at 11:15 am and reaching Delhi at 11:45 am the following day. In the return direction, the Delhi–Bhuj Daily Express (Train No. 19404) will begin service from May 24, 2026, leaving Delhi at 4:40 pm and arriving in Bhuj at 7:35 pm the next day.
The train will consist of 18 LHB coaches, including one AC 2-tier coach, three AC 3-tier coaches, eight sleeper class coaches, four general coaches, one power car, and one guard coach. Ticket fares have been fixed at Rs 590 for Sleeper Class, Rs 1,530 for AC 3-tier, and Rs 2,180 for AC 2-tier travel between Bhuj and Delhi. Bookings for Train No. 19403 have started through PRS counters and the IRCTC portal.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for introducing the direct rail link and for approving the Ahmedabad–Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail Project. He said Indian Railways has witnessed major transformation over the last 12 years and added that railway infrastructure development in Gujarat has accelerated significantly since 2014, with nearly 2,900 km of new railway tracks laid across the state. He further stated that railway projects worth around Rs 1.28 lakh crore are currently underway in Gujarat, while the state received Rs 17,366 crore under the Railway Budget for 2026–27, marking a 29% increase compared to allocations made in 2014.