New Vande Bharat Express To Connect Rajasthan With Gujarat: How To Book Tickets, List Of Discontinued Trains, Route, Timings

A big change is coming to India’s fast train network, and many passengers may be surprised. A brand-new train has been approved, while two existing ones are about to stop running. This sudden shift has raised questions among regular travellers. Why is this happening, and what will change? The answer involves new routes, better connectivity, and a major reshuffle by the Railway Board.

The Ministry of Railways has approved a new Vande Bharat Express that will connect Rajasthan with Gujarat. This train will run between Udaipur City and Asarwa in Ahmedabad. The service will be operated and maintained by North Western Railway (NWR). Officials say this will improve regional travel and support local business and tourism. The move is seen as part of India’s push for faster rail connectivity.

Announcing the new service, North Western Railway issued an official statement. As per The Indian Express, it said, “For the convenience of passengers, the Railway Board has approved the Udaipur City-Asarwa (Ahmedabad) Vande Bharat train.” The statement highlights that the decision was taken keeping passenger demand in mind. The new train is expected to offer quicker and smoother travel between the two cities.

With the launch of the Udaipur-Asarwa (Ahmedabad) Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways has decided to stop two existing Vande Bharat services. These trains currently run from Udaipur City to Agra Cantonment and Udaipur City to Jaipur. Officials reportedly say this change is part of a route rationalisation plan. Many regular passengers may need to adjust their travel plans.

North Western Railway confirmed the cancellation dates in another statement. It said, “Train No. 20981/82 (Udaipur City-Agra Cantt-Udaipur City) Vande Bharat Express will not be operated from February 15, 2026, while Train No. 20979/80 (Udaipur City–Jaipur–Udaipur City) Vande Bharat Express will not run from February 14, 2026.” This means both services will stop this week.

The new Udaipur City-Asarwa (Ahmedabad) Vande Bharat Express will run six days a week. It will not operate on Tuesdays. Train number 26963 will leave Udaipur City at 6:10 AM every morning. It will reach Asarwa in Ahmedabad at 10:25 AM. The schedule is designed for morning travellers and business commuters.

On the return journey, train number 26964 will depart from Asarwa at 5:45 PM. It will arrive back at Udaipur City at 10 PM. This timing allows passengers to complete their day’s work in Ahmedabad and return the same evening. The train offers a fast and comfortable option compared to regular services.

The Railway Board has confirmed three stoppages for this route. The train will halt at Zawar, Dungarpur, and Himmat Nagar stations. These stops will help smaller towns get better rail connectivity. Passengers from these areas will now have direct access to a premium train service.

The Udaipur-Asarwa Vande Bharat Express is designed for high-speed travel. It can run at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. This makes the journey much faster than traditional trains. Passengers will also get modern facilities, better seating, and a smoother ride.

With this change, Indian Railways is reshaping travel in western India. While two older Vande Bharat services are ending, a new and more strategic route is beginning. Officials believe this will improve overall efficiency. The move shows how rail planning is evolving to match passenger demand and regional growth.