Sabarmati to Somnath in just 7 hours! New Vande Bharat Express flagged off by PM Modi
In a major boost to religious tourism and regional connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express recently. This new semi-high-speed train is now the fastest rail link between Ahmedabad and the iconic Somnath Temple in Veraval, promising a faster, more comfortable travel experience for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Designated Train No. 20911/20912, the Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express, will run six days a week, with the exception of Thursdays. It will travel 438 miles in around 7 hours. The train will leave Sabarmati at 5:25 AM and arrive at Veraval at 12:25 PM. Then, on the same day, the train will make a return trip and leave Veraval at 2:40 PM to reach Sabarmati around 9:35 PM. With five major stops—Viramgam, Wankaner, Rajkot, Surendranagar, and Junagadh—the train will make it easier to get to a number of significant cities and places of worship, including the Girnar hills.
Read more:
Vietnam's 10-year Golden Visa program: Key features, perks, and eligibility
Both the AC Chair Car and the Executive Chair Car are available on the train; both are equipped with contemporary conveniences for a more comfortable journey. Automated doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, and cosy seating are examples of onboard amenities. It combines speed, efficiency, and safety to create the next generation of Indian Railways passenger services.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi also flagged off India's first 9,000-horsepower D-90 electric locomotive manufactured at the Dahod plant.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
This new locomotive, part of the Make in India initiative, further signals India's push toward self-reliance in railway manufacturing. Moreover, with the electrification of the Sabarmati–Botad rail section, Gujarat has officially achieved 100% railway electrification—an impressive milestone for the state.
Read more:
9 wildlife sanctuaries that are actually saving the planet
The opening of the Vande Bharat Express to Veraval is anticipated to have a major positive impact on Gujarat's religious tourism industry, particularly for the Somnath Temple, a highly esteemed spiritual location and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Easy travel, shorter trip times, and improved onboard amenities will probably draw more pilgrims and leisure tourists as a result of this improvement, which will strengthen the local economy.
By combining technological advancement with cultural connectivity, the Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express is a symbol of progress. This enhanced mode of mobility will help make the spiritual journey to Somnath faster, smoother, and more accessible than ever before.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Mint
Air India in talks with Boeing, Airbus for ‘major' 200 narrow-body aircraft order: Report
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Tata Group's Air India is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for a major new aircraft order including some 200 extra single-aisle planes, topping up a mammoth deal in 2023 as the former state carrier pursues a multi-billion revamp, industry sources said. The order discussions, which two of the sources said could involve hundreds of airplanes in total spread across various sizes, expand on previously reported discussions for a further batch of large wide-body aircraft, they told Reuters. Air India, Boeing and Airbus all declined comment. Word of a potential new blockbuster order from India's flag carrier emerged as global airline bosses gathered in the world's fastest-growing aviation market for an industry summit to be addressed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Air India placed a then-record order for 470 planes from both suppliers in 2023 and another 100 Airbus jets last year. The back-to-back plane orders come at a time when aircraft manufacturers are scrambling with supply chain issues leading to severe delays in aircraft delivery and a looming jet shortage. Getting new planes is crucial for Air India, which has suffered from years of under-investment under government ownership and is now undertaking an ambitious modernisation plan to recapture market share lost to global rivals. The exact number of narrowbody jets under the new order was not immediately clear but two sources put it in the hundreds and one said it involved a provisional total of 200 narrow-body planes, which are the workhorse of aviation fleets worldwide. (Reporting by Tim Hepher, Aditi Shah, Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Sophie Walker)
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
RBI likely to cut repo rate by 25 bps on June 6 amid low inflation, say experts
NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to announce a third consecutive 25 basis points (bps) rate cut on June 6, amid easing inflation and global economic uncertainty driven by US tariff actions. With consumer price inflation remaining below the 4 per cent median target, experts believe the move would support growth during a period of external volatility, according to a PTI report. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the RBI's rate-setting panel, will begin deliberations on the next bi-monthly policy on June 4. The decision is scheduled to be announced on Friday, June 6. Following 25 bps repo rate cuts in both February and April, which brought the key policy rate down to 6 per cent, the six-member MPC, led by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, also changed its policy stance from 'neutral' to 'accommodative' in April. The central bank has now reduced the policy repo rate by a cumulative 50 bps in 2025 so far, prompting multiple banks to lower their External Benchmark Lending Rates (EBLRs) and Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rates (MCLR). "We do believe that given the rather benign inflation conditions and the liquidity situation which has been made very comfortable through various measures of the RBI, the MPC would go in for a 25 bps cut in the repo rate on the (June) 6th. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The commentary on both growth and inflation will be important as there are expectations of revisions in their forecasts for both the parameters," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda. He also expects the RBI to provide detailed insight into global factors affecting the Indian economy, especially in light of the expiration of US tariff relief in July. ICRA's chief economist, Aditi Nayar, also projects continued monetary easing through the year, as CPI inflation is forecast to remain below 4 per cent for most of the fiscal. "A 25 bps rate cut is expected next week, followed by two more cuts over the subsequent two policy reviews, taking the repo rate to 5.25 per cent by the end of the cycle," she said. The RBI's annual report, released on Thursday reiterated the central bank's plan to manage liquidity operations in line with the prevailing monetary policy stance, ensuring sufficient liquidity for the productive sectors of the economy. The government has mandated the RBI to maintain CPI-based retail inflation at 4 per cent, with a flexibility band of plus or minus 2 per cent. Assocham Secretary General Manish Singhal also supported the case for easing, citing multi-year low inflation and overall positive macroeconomic indicators. "Though the INR is likely to come under depreciation pressure in the short term, especially if global interest rates (e.g. in the US) remain elevated, its impact will depend on the changes in global risk appetite, crude oil prices and the Fed's own monetary stance. We emphasize the importance of strategic patience over aggressive easing, given the current environment of steady growth and manageable inflation," said Singhal. Echoing similar sentiments, Signature Global founder and chairman Pradeep Aggarwal expressed hope that the RBI would offer relief to homebuyers with a rate cut. "Given that several scheduled commercial banks have been reducing their lending rates following the previous two RBI MPC outcomes, another rate cut at this juncture would act as a catalyst for increased housing demand across segments. As a result, both first-time homebuyers and investors are likely to be encouraged to enter the real estate market, further strengthening demand across the sector," Aggarwal said. Also read: RBI slaps Rs 54.78 crore in penalties on banks and NBFCs for compliance lapses in FY25 An article in the RBI's May Bulletin highlighted that domestic bond yields have declined to multi-year lows, aided by back-to-back policy rate cuts and liquidity-enhancing measures. The report noted that monetary and credit conditions are evolving in line with the RBI's accommodative policy approach, aiming to bring inflation in line with targets while bolstering growth. India's GDP growth is estimated to have dipped to a four-year low of 6.5 per cent in FY 2024–25. Meanwhile, retail inflation in April 2025 eased to 3.16 per cent- the lowest year-on-year print since July 2019. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
34 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Air India in talks with Airbus and Boeing for major aircraft order
Air India placed a then-record order for 470 planes from both suppliers in 2023 and another 100 Airbus jets last year Reuters NEW DELHI Tata Group's Air India is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for a major new aircraft order including some 200 extra single-aisle planes, topping up a mammoth deal in 2023 as the former state carrier pursues a multi-billion revamp, industry sources said. The order discussions, which two of the sources said could involve hundreds of airplanes in total spread across various sizes, expand on previously reported discussions for a further batch of large wide-body aircraft, they told Reuters. Air India, Boeing and Airbus all declined comment. Word of a potential new blockbuster order from India's flag carrier emerged as global airline bosses gathered in the world's fastest-growing aviation market for an industry summit to be addressed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Air India placed a then-record order for 470 planes from both suppliers in 2023 and another 100 Airbus jets last year. The back-to-back plane orders come at a time when aircraft manufacturers are scrambling with supply chain issues leading to severe delays in aircraft delivery and a looming jet shortage. Getting new planes is crucial for Air India, which has suffered from years of under-investment under government ownership and is now undertaking an ambitious modernisation plan to recapture market share lost to global rivals. The exact number of narrowbody jets under the new order was not immediately clear but two sources put it in the hundreds and one said it involved a provisional total of 200 narrow-body planes, which are the workhorse of aviation fleets worldwide. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
