Rajasthan and Gujarat are set to get a new daily rail connection with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expected to soon flag off the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Bikaner (Lalgarh) Express.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Railways, the new train will provide a direct rail link between Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and Rajasthan’s Bikaner, improving connectivity for passengers.
The service is expected to benefit students, working professionals, traders and tourists by offering a convenient daily travel option across western India.
Covering a distance of nearly 740 km, the train will establish a daily express service between Ahmedabad and Bikaner for the first time.
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According to the ministry, the train will pass through key districts in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Patan and Banaskantha, and serve Jalore, Balotra, Jodhpur, Nagaur and Bikaner districts in Rajasthan.
Major stoppages are expected to include Sabarmati, Mehsana, Patan, Bhildi, Dhanera, Raniwara, Marwar Bhinmal, Modran, Jalore, Mokalsar, Samdari, Luni, Jodhpur, Gotan, Merta Road, Nagaur, Nokha, Bikaner and Lalgarh.
The service is also expected to boost tourism by improving access to major attractions in both states.
Travellers from Rajasthan will gain easier access to destinations such as the Sabarmati Riverfront, Modhera Sun Temple and Rani ki Vav in Gujarat, while passengers from Gujarat will benefit from direct connectivity to attractions including Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple, Lalgarh Palace and Bikaner’s desert tourism circuit.
The ministry said the train is expected to strengthen economic activity and cultural exchange between the two states by improving passenger mobility and regional connectivity.
The proposed launch comes amid a series of recent railway initiatives in Rajasthan.
Earlier, Vaishnaw flagged off new rail services from Jodhpur, approved the extension of the Sabarmati-Jodhpur Express to Jaisalmer and launched the Bhuj-Jalore-Pali-Delhi rail service, providing direct rail connectivity to several regions of western Rajasthan.
