The Sabarmati Varanasi Express and a new Mehsana–Becharaji–Sabarmati MEMU service were launched on October 30, providing new rail links for passengers travelling between Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and improving daily connectivity across North Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off both services through a video conference, according to Divya Bhaskar – Ahmedabad.
The Sabarmati Varanasi Express will operate daily. It will leave Sabarmati at 5.20 am and reach Varanasi at 6.30 am the following day. The return service will depart Varanasi at 5.30 pm and arrive at Sabarmati at 8.15 pm the next day.
The long-distance service will stop at Mehsana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra Junction, Tundla, Govindpuri and Mirzapur, among other stations. The route creates a direct rail connection between major urban centres in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, including access to Varanasi for passengers from Ahmedabad and surrounding districts.
The second service, a Mehsana–Becharaji–Sabarmati MEMU, will operate twice a day and serve Chandkheda, Kalol, Kadi, Bhowani, Katosan Road, Becharaji, Chanasma and Ranunj stations. The service is expected to support passengers travelling to the Bahuchar Mata temple at Becharaji as well as workers and employees commuting to the area’s automobile and industrial hubs.
The morning service will leave Sabarmati at 6.40 am and reach Becharaji at 8.05 am. It will depart Becharaji at 8.07 am and reach Mehsana at 9.45 am. The return journey will begin at Mehsana at 4.40 pm, reach Becharaji at 5.49 pm and leave the station at 5.51 pm for Sabarmati, where it will arrive at 8.30 pm.
A separate evening service will leave Sabarmati at 5.05 pm and reach Becharaji at 6.48 pm. It will depart Becharaji at 6.50 pm and reach Mehsana at 8.25 pm. The morning and evening options are intended to provide more flexibility for daily passengers travelling between Sabarmati and Mehsana.
The new MEMU service links a major Ahmedabad rail gateway with towns and settlements along the North Gujarat corridor. Its stops include locations serving both established communities and the developing industrial area around Becharaji. The service also provides a rail option for pilgrims travelling from Ahmedabad towards the Bahuchar Mata temple.
The launch adds two distinct types of connectivity: a daily overnight inter-state service and a twice-daily regional commuter link. The railway services will now enter regular operation according to the announced schedules, with passenger access centred on the listed stations and timings.
