Jodhpur-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat to run with 20 coaches; Sabarmati-Jodhpur Express extended to Jaisalmer
Jodhpur, May 22
In a major push to railway infrastructure in Rajasthan, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday flagged off the Jodhpur-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Superfast Express special inaugural service at Jodhpur Railway Station.
During the event organised under the North Western Railway, the coach composition of the Vande Bharat Express was announced to be expanded from 8 to 20 coaches, aimed at increasing passenger capacity and improving travel convenience. The regular service will include executive chair cars, AC chair cars and driving power cars.
Vaishnaw said that regular train number 26481/26482, Jodhpur-Delhi Cantt-Jodhpur Vande Bharat Superfast Express rail service, will have a total of 20 coaches from May 24, including 02 Executive Chair Cars, 16 Air Conditioned Chair Cars and 02 Driver Power Cars. This will provide more seats to passengers and significantly improve travel convenience.
The release stated that Vaishnaw said that the residents of western Rajasthan have long been demanding more rail services. New rail services have been started for many major cities, including Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
He said that the coaching terminal being built in Jodhpur will prove to be a milestone in railway development and will facilitate the operation of new trains from across the country in future.
A Vande Bharat Sleeper terminal is also being developed at Bhagat Ki Kothi.
Vaishnaw said that preparations are underway to start a new rail service from Jodhpur to Haridwar in the next 10 months.
At present, Rajasthan is being given a record budget of about Rs 10,000 crore for railway development, whereas earlier this amount was only Rs 700-800 crore.
The Union Railway Minister said that doubling work is underway on the Dhangra-Bandikui, Ajmer-Chittorgarh, Luni-Bhiladi, Rewari-Khatuwas, and Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur sections in Rajasthan. He added that gauge conversion of the Marwar Junction-Mavli line, tunnel construction, and new rail line projects, including connectivity to Pushkar and Ambaji, are progressing rapidly.
Further, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is rapidly moving towards world-class facilities.
He said that railways are not only a means of transport, but also the lifeline of the country, and an unprecedented transformation has been seen in Indian Railways in the last 12 years.
He said that Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has given many gifts to Rajasthan and especially Jodhpur in recent times, which have opened new dimensions of development in the Marwar region. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also expressed gratitude and thanks to the Union Railway Minister for railway works in Jodhpur, Pokhran and nearby areas and expressed hope that support for railway works would continue in the future as well.
He also mentioned PM Modi's call for energy conservation and appealed to all to cooperate in it.
The Union Ministers also inaugurated the newly built Coach Care Complex in Jaisalmer, constructed for Rs 67 crore. This project will increase train maintenance capacity, enable the operation of more trains and provide better rail facilities to passengers.
The Golden City, Jaisalmer, is extremely important from tourism and strategic points of view. Sonar Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Bada Bagh and the Thar Desert are major attractions for tourists from India and abroad.
The new rail facility will strengthen connectivity to Jaisalmer, boost tourism and create new employment opportunities in the region. At the same time, passengers travelling to Jodhpur and Ahmedabad for medical treatment and education will get better facilities, the release said.
The Union Railway Minister said that Rajasthan's culture, heritage and valour will now be reflected at railway stations. He noted that the redevelopment of Jaisalmer Railway Station has been completed and urged people to visit it.
He added that Jaipur Station is being developed on the Pink City theme and work at Pali Station is progressing rapidly, with stations being transformed into tourism centres of cities. Vaishnaw said that 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are being developed in Rajasthan, out of which 12 have been completed.
These projects will provide wide benefits to trade, tourism and passengers.
Train No. 20486 Sabarmati-Jaisalmer Daily Superfast Express was virtually flagged off and will start operations from May 23, 2026. It will depart Sabarmati at 07:00 AM, reach Jodhpur at 02:40 PM, depart at 02:50 PM, and arrive in Jaisalmer at 08:30 PM.
Similarly, Train No. 20485 Jaisalmer-Sabarmati Daily Superfast Express will also begin services from May 23, 2026, departing Jaisalmer at 06:30 AM, reaching Jodhpur at 11:40 AM, and arriving at Sabarmati at 08:00 PM.
The Union Railway Minister expressed confidence that after completion of the current projects, Rajasthan will get the benefit of more than 200 new rail services and the state will be among the leading states of the country in the field of railway development.
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot, Bilara MLA Arjun Ram Garg, Phalodi MLA Pabba Ram Bishnoi, Jodhpur MLA Atul Bhansali, Soorsagar MLA Devendra Joshi, North Western Railway General Manager Amitabh, Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi and local public representatives and officials were present.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see Jaisalmer getting better connectivity! That Sabarmati-Jaisalmer extension will be a blessing for tourists. I visited Jaisalmer last year and the station was quite basic. Now with the Coach Care Complex and redeveloped station, it's becoming proper world-class. PM Modi's vision for Indian Railways is truly transforming our smaller cities. 🚂✨
Rs 10,000 crore budget for Rajasthan railways is impressive but I hope the money doesn't just go into inaugurations. The doubling work on Ajmer-Chittorgarh and Luni-Bhiladi sections is overdue - these lines get jammed during peak season. Also, why only 10 months for Jodhpur-Haridwar service? Should have been faster given the demand for pilgrim travel. Still, progress is progress I guess.
The mention of 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals is what excites me most! Rajasthan's trade - especially marble, handicrafts and agricultural produce - will get a massive boost. The 12 already completed are already showing results. Vaishnaw ji is really delivering on the ground. And making stations reflect local culture? That Jaipur Pink City theme station will be iconic!
I'm happy for Rajasthan but as someone from rural UP, I envy this kind of attention. Our railways still struggle with basic amenities. Why is only Rajasthan getting all these Vande Bharat and terminal projects? Every state needs equal development. The pre-Modi era budget of Rs 700 crore for Rajasthan seems tiny but now they're getting Rs 10,000 crore - hope other states catch up too.
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