Union Minister C R Patil Flags Off Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express
New service to strengthen Gujarat-Rajasthan connectivity, boosting trade, tourism and religious travel.
- Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat flagged off on October 2.
- Regular service to begin from October 4.
- Journey between the cities to take about 7.5 hours.
- Service expected to boost trade, tourism and religious travel.
GG News Bureau
Surat, 3rd Oct: Surat received a direct Vande Bharat Express connection to Udaipur on October 2, with Union Minister C.R. Patil flagging off the train on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The new semi-high-speed service will connect Surat with Udaipur in around 7 hours and 30 minutes. Regular operations are scheduled to begin from October 4.
The train is expected to strengthen connectivity between Gujarat and Rajasthan, particularly benefiting business travellers, tourists and pilgrims. Passengers from Surat will be able to travel to Udaipur and other important destinations along the route and plan same-day return journeys.
The train will halt at important commercial, tourism and religious centres in both states, including destinations near Shamlaji, providing easier access to major attractions.
Equipped with modern passenger amenities, the Vande Bharat features automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, enhanced safety systems and comfortable seating.
Addressing the flag-off programme, Patil highlighted the transformation of Indian Railways, saying that railway modernisation and improved cleanliness under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led to the introduction of modern trains such as Vande Bharat.
Patil said the Surat-Udaipur service was approved after the proposal was placed before the Prime Minister, and thanked Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for supporting the initiative. He also referred to other railway improvements, including the MEMU service between Valsad and Surat.
The minister urged passengers to make greater use of the new railway facilities and services being introduced across the country.
The programme was organised by the railway administration and attended by railway officials, local public representatives and other dignitaries.
