To address growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors, the Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by introducing four additional AC chair car coaches.
The upgrade, effective from 11 May, raises the train’s seating strength from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers—a move that translates into 936 more passengers served daily across both directions. The move is being hailed as a pragmatic step to accommodate surging demand on the high-traffic Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar belt, which consistently operates at over 150 per cent seat occupancy. By ramping up the train’s capacity, the Western Railway is expected to serve an additional 5,616 passengers weekly and more than 2.6 lakh passengers annually without altering the train’s current frequency or timing.
Previously running with a 16-coach configuration—two Executive Chair Cars and 14 AC Chair Cars—the semi-high-speed train now boasts 18 AC Chair Cars while retaining its two Executive coaches. This strategic enhancement not only addresses the volume of passengers but also reinforces the commitment to making high-speed intercity travel more inclusive, accessible, and environmentally sound.
The Mumbai–Gandhinagar Vande Bharat Express holds the distinction of being India’s first service under the Vande Bharat brand, symbolising the Railways’ drive towards cleaner, smarter, and faster transport solutions. With an emphasis on reduced travel times, advanced passenger comfort, and new-age features, the train has played a crucial role in redefining mobility on this economically vital corridor.
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