Rajasthan Gets Major Rail Boost as Vande Bharat Expanded, New Services Flagged Off

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday dedicated several major railway projects and services to Rajasthan during a programme organised at Jodhpur Railway Station under the Jodhpur Division of North Western Railway.

During the event, the Union Ministers flagged off train number 04871, the Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat inauguration special rail service, while also announcing a major expansion of the regular Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express. The coach composition of the premium semi-high-speed train has now been increased from 8 coaches to 20 coaches to accommodate rising passenger demand.

At the same event, the Ministers inaugurated the newly built Coach Care Complex at Jaisalmer and announced the extension of the Sabarmati–Jodhpur Express rail service up to Jaisalmer, significantly improving rail connectivity in western Rajasthan.

Addressing the gathering, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that regular train numbers 26481 and 26482, the Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt–Jodhpur Vande Bharat Superfast Express, will operate with 20 coaches from May 24, 2026. The upgraded train composition will include 2 Executive Chair Cars, 16 Air Conditioned Chair Cars and 2 Driver Power Cars.

He said the increase in coach capacity would provide a large number of additional seats and improve travel convenience for passengers travelling between Rajasthan and the national capital. The Railway Minister noted that demand for rail services in western Rajasthan has increased rapidly in recent years and Indian Railways is continuously working to expand connectivity and passenger facilities in the region.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is moving rapidly toward world-class infrastructure and services. He said railways are not just a mode of transportation but the lifeline of the country, and the transformation witnessed over the past 12 years has been unprecedented.

Shekhawat praised Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for giving several major railway projects to Rajasthan and particularly to the Marwar region, saying these developments have opened new avenues of growth and economic activity. He also thanked the Railway Ministry for accelerating railway works in Jodhpur, Pokhran and nearby areas and expressed hope that such support would continue in the future.

During his address, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the people of western Rajasthan had long demanded better rail connectivity with major Indian cities. Keeping this in mind, new rail services have been introduced connecting Jodhpur and nearby regions with Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

He also highlighted the development of a modern coaching terminal in Jodhpur, which he described as a milestone project for future railway expansion in the region. According to the Railway Minister, the terminal will facilitate operation of more long-distance trains from Jodhpur in the coming years. He added that a dedicated Vande Bharat Sleeper terminal is also being developed at Bhagat Ki Kothi.

The Railway Minister further announced that preparations are underway to start a new rail service between Jodhpur and Haridwar within the next 10 months. He said Rajasthan is currently receiving a record railway development budget of nearly ₹10,000 crore, compared to just ₹700–800 crore allocated during previous years.

Vaishnaw informed that major railway infrastructure works are progressing rapidly across Rajasthan. Doubling work is currently underway on the Dhangra–Bandikui, Ajmer–Chittorgarh, Luni–Bhildi, Rewari–Khatuwas and Sawai Madhopur–Jaipur rail sections. In addition, gauge conversion work on the Marwar Junction–Mavli section, tunnel construction and several new railway line projects are also moving forward at a fast pace.

He also said that railway connectivity projects linking Pushkar and Ambaji are under construction and will provide major benefits to tourism and local economies.

A major highlight of the programme was the inauguration of the Coach Care Complex at Jaisalmer, constructed at a cost of ₹67 crore. Railway officials said the facility would significantly increase train maintenance capacity and improve operational efficiency, enabling the introduction of additional train services in the future.

The Railway Minister described Jaisalmer as extremely important from both tourism and strategic perspectives. He said famous attractions such as Sonar Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Bada Bagh and the Thar Desert attract tourists from across India and abroad. Improved rail connectivity and maintenance infrastructure are expected to strengthen tourism and create new employment opportunities in the region.

Vaishnaw also stated that passengers travelling to Jodhpur and Ahmedabad for medical treatment, education and business purposes would benefit greatly from the improved train services.

Speaking about station redevelopment projects, the Railway Minister said that Rajasthan’s culture, heritage and bravery would now be reflected in the architecture of modern railway stations. He informed that redevelopment work at Jaisalmer Railway Station has already been completed, while Jaipur Railway Station is being developed on the theme of the Pink City. Construction work at Pali Railway Station is also progressing rapidly.

He said railway stations are now being transformed into tourism centres for their respective cities, providing passengers with modern amenities while also showcasing local culture.

The Railway Minister further informed that 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are being developed in Rajasthan, of which 12 have already been completed. These terminals are expected to benefit trade, logistics, industries and tourism across the state.

As part of the programme, train number 20486, the Sabarmati–Jaisalmer Daily Superfast Express, was virtually flagged off. The train will depart from Sabarmati at 7:00 AM from May 23, 2026, reach Jodhpur at 2:40 PM, depart at 2:50 PM and arrive at Jaisalmer at 8:30 PM.

Similarly, train number 20485, the Jaisalmer–Sabarmati Daily Superfast Express, will depart from Jaisalmer at 6:30 AM, arrive at Jodhpur at 11:40 AM, depart at 11:50 AM and reach Sabarmati at 8:00 PM.

At the conclusion of the programme, Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence that Rajasthan would receive the benefit of more than 200 new rail services after the completion of ongoing projects. He said the state is set to emerge as one of India’s leading regions in railway infrastructure and connectivity development.

Several dignitaries, including 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 and Jodhpur Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi were present during the event.