Ahmedabad, May 25 – Indian Railways has announced a major boost for Gujarat-bound passengers with the launch of a new Vande Bharat Express between Sabarmati and Veraval, enhancing rail connectivity and offering faster, more comfortable travel to one of the state’s key pilgrimage destinations—Somnath Temple.
This addition to the growing Vande Bharat network will officially begin operations on May 27, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to flag off the train virtually during his two-day visit to Gujarat, where he will also inaugurate several other railway projects from Dahod.
Key Route for Pilgrims and Tourists
The Sabarmati-Veraval Vande Bharat Express is a Chair Car configuration designed for daytime travel. It is expected to greatly benefit devotees and tourists heading to Somnath Temple, one of India’s most revered Jyotirlingas located in Gir Somnath district.
Running six days a week, excluding Thursdays, the train aims to reduce travel time while providing a premium rail experience with modern amenities such as reclining seats, automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, and onboard catering.
Timings, Route, and Coach Details
Train Number 26901: Departs from Sabarmati at 5:25 AM, arriving at Veraval at 12:25 PM
Train Number 26902: Returns from Veraval at 2:40 PM, reaching Sabarmati by 9:35 PM
The train will halt at the following stations en route:
Viramgam
Surendranagar
Wankaner
Rajkot
Junagadh
The train will feature eight coaches, offering all-chair car seating with air-conditioning and ample legroom, tailored for a comfortable long-distance journey within Gujarat.
What’s Next: Sleeper Vande Bharat on the Horizon
While Chair Car versions of the Vande Bharat Express have now become common across most Indian states, railway enthusiasts and long-distance travelers are eagerly awaiting the debut of sleeper variants. Although no official launch date has been confirmed yet, expectations are high that sleeper Vande Bharat trains will be introduced within the next few months, further revolutionizing overnight rail travel in India.
This Sabarmati-Veraval addition marks another step in the Railways’ aggressive modernization drive and is poised to significantly benefit the tourism and pilgrimage circuits of Gujarat.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
