The Railway Board has approved a route change for the Sabarmati-Veraval Vande Bharat Express. As per the official letter sent to Western Railway on June 8, 2026, the train will now operate via Botad, Jetalsar, and Junagadh. This decision follows the directions of the Ministry of Railways to optimize the journey for passengers.
What is the new route and stops for the train?
The train will now follow a shorter path compared to the previous route. The new sequence of travel will be Sabarmati-Botad-Jetalsar-Junagadh-Veraval. This change removes the previous stretch via Viramgam, Surendranagar, and Rajkot. The new route includes seven stops: Gandhigram, Dholka, Dhandhuka, Botad, Dhola, Dhasa, and Junagadh.
How will the travel time and schedule change?
The revised route will reduce the total travel time by approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The updated timings for the services are as follows:
| Train Number | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26901 | Sabarmati | 06:00 AM | Veraval | 12:50 PM | 6h 50m |
| 26902 | Veraval | 03:50 PM | Sabarmati | 10:25 PM | 6h 35m |
When will these changes be implemented?
The route change will likely take effect from the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) or the no-booking date, whichever comes first. While the Railway Board has already approved the move, these updated timings and routes are not yet reflected on the IRCTC booking website. Railway officials have been asked to publicize these changes for the convenience of passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the new stations where Vande Bharat will stop?
The train will now stop at seven stations: Gandhigram, Dholka, Dhandhuka, Botad, Dhola, Dhasa, and Junagadh.
Will the travel time increase or decrease with the new route?
The travel time will decrease by 10 to 15 minutes. Train 26901 will take 6 hours 50 minutes and Train 26902 will take 6 hours 35 minutes.