Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off Bikaner-Ahmedabad Train, Announces Major Rail Push for Rajasthan
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Union Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, on Saturday flagged off the new Bikaner-Ahmedabad train service from Bikaner Railway Station, marking a significant step towards strengthening rail connectivity in western Rajasthan and the country’s border regions.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw said the new train service would fulfil a long-standing demand of the people of Bikaner and surrounding areas by providing better connectivity with Gujarat and other parts of the country. He said the service would not only improve passenger convenience but also boost trade, tourism and economic activities in the region.
The Railway Minister outlined the Centre’s comprehensive plan to strengthen railway connectivity across the border districts of western Rajasthan through new railway lines, doubling projects and strategic infrastructure development. He said several railway projects are currently under implementation in the state and will significantly transform Rajasthan’s rail network in the coming years.
According to Vaishnaw, improved rail connectivity in border areas is essential not only for passenger mobility but also for enhancing strategic connectivity and accelerating regional development. He said the government is working with a long-term vision to ensure that remote and border regions are connected with modern and efficient transport infrastructure.
Highlighting the scale of railway development in Rajasthan, the minister said projects worth more than ₹76,800 crore are presently underway in the state. These include new railway lines, doubling works, gauge conversion projects and station redevelopment initiatives.
He noted that the redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is progressing rapidly across the country, with more than 1,300 stations being upgraded with modern passenger amenities. In Rajasthan, redevelopment work is underway at several stations, including Bikaner, Lalgarh, Nokha, Sadulpur, Churu and Ratangarh.
Vaishnaw said stations such as Jaipur and Jaisalmer have been redesigned in line with local architecture and cultural themes, creating modern transport hubs that also showcase Rajasthan’s heritage. The upgraded stations, he said, have become attractions for tourists and visitors.
The Railway Minister also announced that the government is planning several new train services in Rajasthan as ongoing infrastructure projects are completed. The completion of new lines and doubling works will increase line capacity and enable the introduction of additional passenger and freight services.
To further support industrial growth and trade, the government is also developing Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals in the state. These facilities are expected to improve logistics efficiency and strengthen Rajasthan’s position as an important economic and industrial hub.
Highlighting the increase in railway investments under the Narendra Modi government, Vaishnaw said annual railway spending in Rajasthan, which stood at around ₹683 crore during the previous Congress-led governments, has increased to more than ₹10,228 crore. He said the record allocation has accelerated the pace of infrastructure development and transformed railway connectivity across the state.
The minister also referred to the introduction of several new train services in recent years, including Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and various express trains operating from cities such as Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Jaipur.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to completing railway projects in the border regions in a phased and responsible manner, saying that the development of railway infrastructure remains a key component of the vision for a developed India by 2047.
The flagging off of the Bikaner-Ahmedabad train service marks another milestone in the government’s efforts to modernise Indian Railways and strengthen connectivity in western Rajasthan. The new service is expected to improve mobility, promote economic growth and provide a major boost to the development of border areas in the state.
