Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Train Launched to Boost Culture, Trade
Bhavnagar: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated three new express train services from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, today, including the Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Express, Rewa-Pune (Hadapsar) Express, and Jabalpur-Raipur Express. The launch event, held in Bhavnagar, was attended by Union Minister for Labour, Employment, Youth Affairs, and Sports Mansukhbhai Mandaviya and Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Nimuben Bambhaniya. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav and Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai participated via video conferencing.
The Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Express, operating weekly, aims to connect the cultural and spiritual heritage of Bhavnagar with Ayodhya, fostering trade and tourism in the region. During the ceremony, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the significance of the new trains, noting that the Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Express will strengthen cultural ties, while the Rewa-Pune and Jabalpur-Raipur services will enhance connectivity for industrial and tribal regions, including Pune, Rewa, Jabalpur, Satna, and Maihar.
Vaishnaw outlined recent advancements in India’s railway system, stating that over the past 11 years, 34,000 kilometres of new tracks have been laid, averaging 12 kilometres per day. He noted that 1,300 stations are currently under redevelopment as part of the world’s largest station modernisation program, completed without service disruptions. The minister also announced upcoming railway projects in the region, including a daily Porbandar-Rajkot train, a coach maintenance facility at Ranavav station, the Saradiya-Wansjaliya railway line, a flyover at Bhadrakali Gate in Porbandar, and two Gati Shakti cargo terminals alongside a new port container terminal in Bhavnagar. Additionally, he revealed that India’s first bullet train, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is nearing completion, with operations expected to reduce travel time to two hours and seven minutes. Vaishnaw also mentioned the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains, which offer amenities comparable to Vande Bharat trains at lower fares, with eight such trains already operational.
Mansukhbhai Mandaviya emphasised the transformative changes in India’s railway sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that modernisation has led to timely and well-equipped rail services for citizens. He highlighted the cultural significance of the Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Express, noting that it will enable residents of Saurashtra, a region known for its spiritual heritage, to visit the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya.
Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya described the Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Express as a bridge connecting Bhavnagar’s vibrancy with Ayodhya’s devotion, benefiting not only Bhavnagar residents but also those in surrounding districts. She expressed gratitude to the Railway Minister for the initiative.
The event saw participation from local leaders, including Members of the Legislative Assembly Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Jitubhai Vaghani, Sejalben Pandya, Gautambhai Chauhan, and Bhikhabhai Bariya, as well as Mahant Shambhunathji Tundiya, Shivabhai Gohil, Mayor Bharatbhai Barad, District Collector Manish Kumar Bansal, Commissioner N.K. Meena, District Development Officer, Hanul Chaudhary, Regional Commissioner, Dhaval Pandya, Superintendent of Police, Harshad Patel, senior railway officials, saints, and numerous Bhavnagar citizens.
– global bihari bureau
