Direct train from Jodhpur to Haridwar by March 2027: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday that a direct train service between Jodhpur and Haridwar will be launched by March 2027, following strong demand from passengers.

The railway minister was in Jodhpur to inaugurate a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express train, replacing the existing 8-coach service.

Vaishnaw said that, keeping in mind the increasing demand from tourists and regular travellers, the new 20-coach train is being introduced.

''Based on continuous demand, we have increased its capacity from 8 coaches to 20 coaches,'' Vaishnaw said.

He informed that a coaching terminal for Vande Bharat Sleeper and other trains will be set up in Jodhpur, which will help increase train services in western Rajasthan.

Vaishnaw also announced the extension of the Sabarmati-Jodhpur train service to Jaisalmer and the inauguration of a coaching maintenance depot there.

When local leaders gathered at the inauguration ceremony for Vande Bharat, and demanded a direct train from Jodhpur to Haridwar, Vaishnaw assured them saying he was aware of the need and that work was underway to start the service by March 2027.

While the 8-coach reserved train from Jodhpur to Delhi Cantt departed at its scheduled time of 5.30 am on May 22, the inaugural run of the 20-coach train began at around 1.30 pm.

''Since it is an inaugural run, it is carrying some unreserved passengers, railway officials and mediapersons. Most of the seats are unoccupied; however, once it becomes part of scheduled operations, we expect a huge response,'' a railway official said.

Officials said the enhanced-capacity train will officially replace the 8-coach service in scheduled operations from May 25.

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