The Ministry of Railways is increasing the seating capacity on existing Vande Bharat trains to make travel more comfortable for passengers. As part of this move, the coach arrangement of India’s 42nd Vande Bharat Express has been changed, according to a report by The Indian Express.
India’s 42nd Vande Bharat Express: Route and train number
India’s 42nd Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12, 2024. The train runs between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central and is operated and maintained by the Western Railway zone.
Due to rising passenger demand, the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express (train numbers 22961/22962) will run with 20 coaches from January 26 to March 7, 2026. Four extra AC chair car coaches will be added during this period, allowing the train to carry 278 more passengers and offering better comfort and convenience, IE reported citing the Western Railway.
The Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat train started commercial service on March 13, 2024, with 16 coaches.
Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat: Distance and travel time
The train covers a distance of 491 km in about 5 hours and 40 minutes. It runs on all days except Sunday.
Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express: Stoppages
On its route between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central, the Vande Bharat Express stops at Vadodara, Surat, Vapi and Borivali.
Ticket quotas available on the train include General, Tatkal, Senior Citizen, and Ladies categories. With the revised coach composition, the train now offers a more important and comfortable travel option for passengers commuting between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
PM Modi on January 17 flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route from Malda Town Railway Station, giving a major boost to rail connectivity in poll-bound West Bengal. He also virtually flagged off the return Guwahati–Howrah Vande Bharat sleeper service.
The new train cuts travel time on the Howrah–Guwahati route by nearly 2.5 hours. Designed to meet the evolving transport needs of a modern India, the fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper Train aims to provide passengers with an airline-like travel experience at affordable fares, according to an official government release.