Gujarat : Vande Bharat Creates History, Transports Donor Heart from Surat to Ahmedabad in Life-Saving Mission

SURAT : In a landmark achievement for India’s healthcare and railway services, a living human heart was transported for the first time through the Indian Railways by Vande Bharat Express, creating a new chapter in emergency medical transportation. The donor heart travelled from New Civil Hospital, Surat, to U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, helping doctors perform a life-saving transplant.

The historic mission was completed through close coordination between Indian Railways, Gujarat Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and medical teams. A specially prepared green corridor ensured that the heart reached the Ahmedabad hospital without delay.

The heart belonged to Mithun, a young man from Odisha working in the Sancha Department at Pipodra, Kim. After being declared brain dead, his family took the courageous decision to donate his organs. His donation of heart, two kidneys, and liver will give a new lease of life to four patients.

The donor heart was transported through Vande Bharat Express train number 20901 (Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar Capital). It departed from Surat at 9:18 am and reached Ahmedabad Railway Station at 12:55 pm. From there, a green corridor was created from Platform No. 1 of Ahmedabad Railway Station to U.N. Mehta Hospital, allowing doctors to receive the organ within the required time frame.

This was the 96th successful organ donation at New Civil Hospital, Surat, marking another significant milestone in Gujarat’s organ donation movement.

The successful operation became even more crucial due to heavy rainfall in South Gujarat, which disrupted air connectivity. With flights unavailable, the railway network became the fastest and most reliable option for transporting the critical organ.

Officials said the speed, punctuality, and reliability of Vande Bharat Express played a key role in completing the mission successfully.

“This achievement shows that Indian Railways is not only a passenger and freight transport service but is also emerging as an important partner in emergency healthcare services,” officials said.

The organ donation process began after Mithun was declared brain dead on July 30 at 4 pm. Doctors at Surat Civil Hospital, including RMO Dr Ketan Nayak, plastic surgeon Dr Nilesh Kachhadiya, neurologist Dr Prayag Makwana, and neurosurgeon Dr Keyur Prajapati, confirmed his condition.

Following counselling by Angdaan Charitable Trust volunteer Iqbal Kadiwala and counsellor Nirmala Kathude, Mithun’s family agreed to donate his organs and help save multiple lives.

The successful heart transfer highlights the power of timely coordination, medical expertise, and organ donation awareness. The mission has set a new benchmark for emergency healthcare logistics in India.