In a relief for daily commuters in south Gujarat, the Ministry of Railways has approved a new daily MEMU service between Valsad and Surat.
According to the Railway Board, Train No. 69149 Valsad–Surat MEMU will depart from Valsad at 1:20 pm and reach Surat at 4:40 pm. The date for the start of the service has not yet been announced.
The train will make commercial stops at Dungri, Joravasan, Bilimora, Amalsad, Ancheli, Vedchha, Gandhi Smriti, Navsari, Maroli, Sachin, Bhestan and Udhna.
As per the approved timetable, the train will halt at Dungri from 1:35 to 1:36 pm, Joravasan from 2:03 to 2:04 pm, Amalsad from 2:09 to 2:10 pm, Bilimora from 2:30 to 2:32 pm, Ancheli from 2:39 to 2:40 pm and Vedchha from 2:58 to 2:59 pm.
It will reach Gandhi Smriti at 3:09 pm, Navsari at 3:16 pm, Maroli at 3:27 pm, Sachin at 3:35 pm, Bhestan at 3:55 pm and Udhna at 4:03 pm before reaching Surat at 4:40 pm.
The service will run daily and use the rake of Train No. 69139 Borivali–Valsad MEMU. Its primary maintenance will be carried out at Vadodara.
Navsari MP and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil welcomed the approval and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He said the service would benefit students, employees and other passengers travelling regularly between Valsad, Navsari and Surat.
The Railway Board has directed Western Railway to introduce the service at the earliest convenient date. If required, the inaugural run may be operated as a special service before the train becomes part of the regular service link.
Western Railway has also been asked to publicise the new service and complete the necessary arrangements for its launch.