Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Rake Arrives, Launch Nears

SURAT: The wait for Surat’s new Vande Bharat Express is nearing an end, with the rake for the Surat-Udaipur service arriving at Surat and final preparations underway for its launch.

The rake, designated for train numbers 26903/04, has been moved to Pit-1 at the coaching yard near Surat railway station. Railway technical and mechanical teams have begun detailed inspections, including electrical, mechanical and safety checks.

The inaugural run is scheduled for October 2, with regular passenger services expected to begin from October 3.

The Railway Board approved the Surat-Udaipur-Surat Vande Bharat service on August 31. However, Western Railway’s mechanical department subsequently identified around 11 maintenance-related challenges at the Surat coaching depot.

These included the absence of facilities such as a covered pit, roof working platform, 650-volt power supply, centralised compressed air, bogie drop, wheel lathe, spare parts and adequate manpower.

Following a fresh feasibility assessment, railway authorities have planned a maintenance arrangement to allow the service to operate.

The train will run six days a week, with Tuesday kept as the weekly maintenance day. Detailed maintenance will be carried out at Udaipur on Tuesdays, while primary inspections and routine maintenance will be undertaken at Surat on operating days.

Railway authorities are also planning to develop modern maintenance infrastructure at Surat.

The arrival of the rake marks a key step towards connecting Surat with Udaipur through the Vande Bharat network, with the final technical inspections now underway before passenger operations begin.