Western Railway has announced additional stoppages for the Hyderabad–Bhavnagar Special train at two Maharashtra stations—Dharangaon and Amalner.
The new halts will be effective starting May 2025 and reflect the railway authority’s broader objective of improving last-mile connectivity across underserved semi-urban regions, while also easing long-distance travel for commuters between Telangana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The updated route plan ensures that Train No. 07061, running from Hyderabad to Bhavnagar, will begin halting at Dharangaon station from 2 May 2025 onwards, with arrival and departure times slated for 1:40 pm and 1:42 pm, respectively. On the return leg, Train No. 07062 from Bhavnagar to Hyderabad will include a late-night halt at Dharangaon at 11:25 pm, departing two minutes later.
Amalner station, another key junction in northern Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, will also benefit from this change. Train No. 07061 will stop there at 2:01 pm and depart at 2:03 pm. The Bhavnagar-bound service in the reverse direction (Train No. 07062) will arrive at Amalner at 10:55 pm and leave at 10:57 pm. These new halts have prompted a revision in the schedule at Nandurbar, a significant junction close to the Maharashtra-Gujarat border. Train No. 07061 will now arrive at Nandurbar at 3:30 pm and depart at 4:40 pm, providing a more comfortable and better-synchronised travel experience. Meanwhile, the return service will reach Nandurbar at 9:10 pm and depart by 9:15 pm.
According to senior railway officials, this move is aimed at addressing a longstanding demand from residents in north Maharashtra’s remote belts who rely heavily on long-distance trains for work, education, healthcare, and family visits. In addition to serving social needs, the added stops are expected to spur local economic activity by facilitating smoother passenger flow through smaller railway towns. Transport analysts note that this initiative reflects Indian Railways’ push towards an inclusive rail infrastructure model—prioritising regional equity in access. The expanded stoppage plan helps ensure that smaller stations are not left out of the growing network of inter-state connectivity. With these adjustments, the Hyderabad–Bhavnagar corridor now better integrates Tier-III towns into the mainstream passenger rail ecosystem.
The Hyderabad–Bhavnagar Special is one of several long-haul trains operating across western and southern India that are increasingly being tailored to meet the demands of population clusters beyond the major metros. Railway planners have adopted a decentralised approach, incorporating feedback from state authorities, local elected bodies, and citizen groups. The inclusion of Dharangaon and Amalner is a direct result of such consultations, say officials. This development is especially significant for the Nandurbar-Amalner-Dharangaon belt, where rail services often determine connectivity for thousands of families across socio-economic classes. With road infrastructure still catching up in some regions, rail remains the primary mode of affordable, long-distance travel. By offering additional halts, Indian Railways ensures that communities relying on non-motorised or public transport modes gain easier access to major economic centres via the rail corridor.
From a sustainability perspective, this move supports low-emission mobility options in regions with limited intra-state transport choices. The special train operates on electrified lines, further aligning with the broader climate goals of reducing diesel dependency and transitioning towards a low-carbon transport network. Officials confirmed that the revised schedule has been finalised keeping in mind the smooth running of the train across the existing route and will not affect its punctuality. Timetables and technical details have been uploaded to passenger information systems, with station announcements and digital alerts set to notify travellers well in advance of the changes.
As urbanisation spreads to smaller towns and demand for equitable transport infrastructure intensifies, railways are emerging as a powerful enabler of both connectivity and sustainability. The additional stoppages on the Hyderabad–Bhavnagar route underline this dual objective, offering enhanced passenger convenience without compromising operational efficiency.
Also Read : https://urbanacres.in/mumbai-metro-3-phase-2a-nears-launch-connecting-bkc-to-worli/
Special Train Gets More Stops in Maharashtra
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