Ahmedabad: Gujarat continues to strengthen its high-speed rail connectivity, with several cities and towns now linked by the fastest train currently operating in the country — the Vande Bharat Express. With five of these semi-high-speed trains running between Gujarat and neighboring states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, a total of 19 cities and towns in the state are now part of the Vande Bharat network.

The towns and cities connected include Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Surat, Valsad, Vapi, Palanpur, Mehsana, Sanand, Viramgam, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Okha, Junagadh, and Veraval. Valsad has become the latest addition to the list, with Indian Railways granting a stop for the Gandhinagar–Mumbai Vande Bharat Express here on an experimental basis.

Among all cities, the state’s largest city, Ahmedabad, enjoys the most extensive connectivity, being served by all five Vande Bharat Express trains. Cities like Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, Rajkot, Viramgam, Surendranagar, and Wankaner each see two Vande Bharat trains. Other towns — including Palanpur, Mehsana, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Veraval, Somnath, Dwarka, Anand, and now Valsad — are served by one train each.

Operated by Indian Railways, these semi-high-speed services have reduced travel times, boosted tourism, and improved regional business connectivity across Gujarat. Here’s an overview of the key Vande Bharat trains operating in the state:

1. Mumbai Central – Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express (20901/20902)
One of the earliest Vande Bharat services, this train connects Mumbai with Gandhinagar via Borivali, Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad. Operating six days a week, it strengthens economic and passenger movement along this busy corridor.

2. Jodhpur – Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express (12461/12462)
This train links Rajasthan’s historic city of Jodhpur with Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, stopping in Gujarat at Palanpur and Mehsana. It provides important interstate connectivity to the northern part of the state.

3. Ahmedabad – Okha Vande Bharat Express (22925/22926)
Connecting Ahmedabad with the coastal port town of Okha, this service benefits travelers and pilgrims heading to Dwarka. The train stops at Sabarmati, Sanand, Viramgam, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Dwarka, improving access to the Saurashtra region.

4. Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express (22961/22962)
Due to overwhelming demand on the earlier Ahmedabad–Mumbai route, this second service was introduced with fewer halts, stopping only at Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, and Borivali. It further eases travel between the two financial hubs.

5. Sabarmati – Veraval Vande Bharat Express (26901/26902)
Launched earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this train connects Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) with Veraval near Somnath. Its stops include Viramgam, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Rajkot, Junagadh, and Veraval, promoting religious tourism and economic development in western Gujarat.

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail – Gujarat’s Vande Metro
Complementing these intercity services, Gujarat also saw the introduction of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail — popularly known as the Vande Metro. Flagged off by PM Modi in September 2024, the service links Ahmedabad and Bhuj, running six days a week except Saturdays. It passes through Viramgam, Dhrangadhra, Halvad, Samakhiali, Bhachau, Gandhidham, and Anjar, covering 359 km in about five and a half hours.

As Gujarat expands its semi-high-speed rail network, cities like Valsad joining the list mark a significant step forward in integrating more regions into the state’s fast-growing transport infrastructure. DeshGujarat