Indian Railways has decided to permanently increase the number of coaches in the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express. Starting from April 28, 2026, the train will run with 20 coaches to handle the heavy rush of passengers. This decision follows a temporary arrangement that was already in place to manage the high demand on this route.
What are the changes in coach formation?
The train previously operated with 16 coaches. To increase the seating capacity, the railways added three AC Chair Car coaches and one Executive Class coach. This update adds a total of 278 extra seats for passengers. Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, confirmed this permanent upgrade.
What are the route and travel details?
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express is the 42nd Vande Bharat train in India. It covers a distance of 491 kilometers in about 5 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 40 minutes. The train stops at several key stations to provide better connectivity.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Train Number | 22961/22962 |
| Effective Date | April 28, 2026 |
| Total Coaches | 20 |
| Extra Seats | 278 |
| Stoppages | Borivali, Vapi, Surat, and Vadodara |
| Travel Time | 5h 30m to 5h 40m |