2 Vande Bharat trains will be discontinued! Why the Railways having to take this drastic decision?
Vande Bharat Express, considered the country's most modern and high-speed train. While the Railways is continuously introducing Vande Bharat trains on new routes, a decision has been made to discontinue these trains on two routes.
India's semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains are considered the pride of the Railways. Running on many major routes across the country, these trains are known for their modern amenities and high speed. But now, big news has emerged for passengers in Rajasthan. The North Western Railway has decided to discontinue two Vande Bharat trains, causing panic among passengers.
According to the North Western Railway, train number 20981/82 (Udaipur City-Agra Cantt-Udaipur City) Vande Bharat Express will be discontinued from February 15, 2026. Meanwhile, Train No. 20979/80 (Udaipur City-Jaipur-Udaipur City) Vande Bharat Express will cease operations from February 14, 2026. The discontinuation of these two trains has come as a shock to passengers, especially those in Rajasthan, who preferred the Vande Bharat Express for a fast and comfortable journey.
Why was this decision taken?
The Railways has not officially stated a clear reason for the discontinuation of these trains. However, according to media reports, passenger traffic on these routes has been lower than expected. Furthermore, route changes are being considered, but a final decision has not yet been made. Some sources suggest that operating costs and low passenger loads may also be factors behind this decision.
New Vande Bharat approved
While two trains have been discontinued, a new Vande Bharat train has also been approved. This train will run between Udaipur City and Asarwa (Ahmedabad), connecting Rajasthan and Gujarat. Train No. 26963 will depart from Udaipur at 6:10 am and arrive at Asarwa at 10:25 am. On its return journey, Train No. 26964 will depart from Asarwa at 5:45 pm and arrive at Udaipur at 10:00 pm. This train will run six days a week, except Tuesdays.
164 Vande Bharat Services Across the Country
According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the Vande Bharat service, which began in February 2019, now operates 164 trains on 82 routes. These trains are equipped with modern features such as improved suspension, semi-high-speed operation, automatic plug doors, ergonomic seats and armor.
