Vande Bharat Express: Big relief for railway passengers. Indian Railways has permanently increased the number of coaches on the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express from 16 to 20. This will be effective from journeys commencing on April 28. The additional four coaches on Train No. 22961/22962 Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express, which includes three AC Chair Car coaches and one Executive Class coach, will provide better seating comfort to passengers on one of India’s busiest and most popular inter-city rail routes.
162 Vande Bharat services have been launched so far
This decision was taken in view of the consistent and high demand since the service’s launch. This temporary arrangement, introduced to meet peak-hour travel needs, has now become a permanent operational arrangement, reflecting Indian Railways’ commitment to maintaining capacity commensurate with the trust of its passengers.
So far, 162 Vande Bharat services have been launched, reducing travel time by up to 45 percent on many routes. Of these, 90 services operate with 8 coaches, 38 with 20 coaches, and 34 with 16 coaches. This indicates that approximately 23.45 percent of Vande Bharat services have been upgraded to 20 coaches, while approximately 21 percent operate with 16 coaches, and the remaining with 8 coaches.
Nearly 40 million passengers traveled on Vande Bharat Express services in FY 2025-26, representing an increase of approximately 34 percent over the previous year. Since its launch in 2019, Vande Bharat Express has carried over 91 million passengers on 100,000 trips. Occupancy has consistently exceeded 100 percent across the network. These figures not only reflect demand but also demonstrate the growing and deep trust among passengers in the quality and reliability of the service.
High-Speed Connectivity Between Gujarat and Maharashtra
In addition to the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad service, 20901/20902 Gandhinagar Capital-Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express provides another important high-speed connection between Gujarat and Maharashtra. This route connecting Gandhinagar to Mumbai also serves the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region, enabling faster and more comfortable travel for business, administrative, and daily commuters, while also strengthening economic relations between the two states.
Vande Bharat services are a fleet of semi-high-speed trains designed to enhance passenger experience and safety. These trains are equipped with advanced safety systems like ‘Kavach’, as well as features such as high speed and fully sealed corridors for better stability and security. Automatic plug doors, ergonomic reclining seats, and rotating seats in the executive class fully cater to passenger comfort.