Vadodara - Loktej English

Vadodara: 104-year-old Savita Ba ready to vote, an inspiring example of democracy

Loktej English Team — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:43:23 +0530

Savita Mangaldas Shah, a 104-year-old resident of Vadodara affectionately known as 'Savita Ba', is once again fully prepared to vote in the 2026 municipal elections. Her unwavering willpower and dedication to democracy make her an inspiration to society.

Savita Ba, who has a sharp memory, a always-smiling face, and a friendly nature, has never missed an election. This year, she has made a firm intention to vote with her family. She appeals to all citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote and strengthen democracy.

Savita Ba's life is deeply connected to the history of the country. She recalls having the opportunity to meet Mahatma Gandhi during a school event in her childhood. Additionally, she witnessed the historic Dandi March and participated in the inauguration ceremony of the famous Golden Bridge.

Leading a simple and regular lifestyle, Savita Ba studies religious texts and prays daily. Her cheerful and affectionate nature easily connects her with people of all ages. She lives in Manjalpur with her daughter Yogini Shah and is beloved by family and neighbors.

Her positive outlook keeps the family united, including her daughter-in-law Meghna Shah, who regularly visits her. With her continuous energy and awareness of civic duty, Savita Ba sends a strong message to society—every individual should fulfill their right to vote.

Publish with Us: Wish to feature your personal or organizational milestones, success stories, or press releases in Loktej English? Contact us, and we will guide you through our publication process.

Feedback & Corrections: We strive for accuracy. If you spot an error, have feedback, or object to the content of this article/press release, please notify us at loktejonline [at] gmail [dot] com. We will review the matter and rectify it at the earliest.

Vadodara: Western Railway Operates Special Trains, Passengers to Get Major Relief

Loktej English Team — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:28:56 +0530

In response to the increasing crowd of passengers and travel demand, Western Railway has announced the operation of special trains to various destinations. As per a press release issued by Western Railway's Public Relations Officer Anubhav Saxena, these trains will be operated at special fares for limited trips.

The first train, number 09043/09044 Valsad–Kharagpur Special (2 trips), will depart from Valsad at 12:50 PM on April 26, 2026, and will arrive at Kharagpur the next day at 9:00 PM. On its return, this train will leave Kharagpur at 5:00 AM on April 28 and reach Valsad the next day at 3:30 PM. This train will stop at several major stations including Bhestan, Nandurbar, Bhusawal, Nagpur, Raipur, Rourkela, and Tatanagar.

It will have AC third class, sleeper, and general coaches available. The second train, number 09013/09014 Udhna–Malda Town Special (2 trips), will depart from Udhna at 2:30 PM on April 28 and will arrive at Malda Town at 5:10 AM on April 30. On its return, this train will leave Malda Town at 8:10 AM on April 30 and reach Udhna at 11:45 PM.

This train will stop at several important stations including Itarsi, Jabalpur, Patna, and Bhagalpur, and will have sleeper and general coaches. The third train, number 09063/09064 Udhna–Malda Town Air-Conditioned Special (2 trips), will depart from Udhna at 8:15 PM on April 27 and will arrive at Malda Town at 11:30 AM on April 29. On its return, this train will leave Malda Town at 5:35 PM on April 29 and reach Udhna at 10:00 AM on May 1.

This train will have 3-tier AC coach facilities. The fourth train, number 09167/09168 Udhna–Madhubani Unreserved Special (4 trips), will depart from Udhna at 5:30 AM on April 23 and 26 and will arrive at Madhubani the next day at 7:00 PM. On its return, this train will leave Madhubani at 10:00 PM on April 24 and 27 and will reach Udhna the next day at 11:35 AM.

This train will be completely unreserved. The fifth train, number 09069/09070 Udhna–Samastipur Unreserved Special (12 trips), will depart from Udhna at 5:30 AM on various days from April 24 to April 30 and will reach Samastipur the next day at 4:00 PM. On its return, this train will leave Samastipur at 7:00 PM from April 25 to May 1 and will reach Udhna.

This train will also have sleeper and second-class coach facilities. According to railway administration, bookings for trains number 09063, 09013, and 09043 will start from April 24, 2026, at all PRS counters and on the IRCTC website. Passengers are advised to check the detailed schedule and stops on the official website before traveling.

Vadodara: Traffic Block Under Bullet Train Project Affects Several Trains in Vadodara Division

Loktej English Team — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:25:46 +0530

On April 24, 2026, a traffic block will be implemented on the Geratpur–Ahmedabad section under the bullet train project, aimed at strengthening railway infrastructure and upgrading passenger facilities. This block is proposed for the launching work of the fourth precast portal beam, which will affect several train services passing through the Vadodara division.

Train number 20902, the Gandhinagar Capital–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, will start from Ahmedabad on April 24 and will be canceled between Gandhinagar Capital and Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, train number 20901, the Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express, will be short-terminated at Vatva station, and the service between Vatva and Gandhinagar Capital will be canceled. Train number 12009, the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express, will depart from Mumbai Central with a delay of 1 hour and 15 minutes on April 24.

Train numbers 69102, the Vatva–Vadodara MEMU, and 69115, the Vadodara–Vatva MEMU, will be canceled on April 24. Additionally, train number 22959, the Vadodara–Jamnagar Intercity, will be canceled on April 23, and train number 22960, the Jamnagar–Vadodara Intercity, will be canceled on April 24. Train number 19033, the Valsad–Ahmedabad Gujarat Queen, will be partially canceled between Vadodara and Ahmedabad on April 24.

Train numbers 19484, the Asansol–Ahmedabad Express, and 12834, the Howrah–Ahmedabad Express, will be stopped for up to 1 hour and 40 minutes in the Vadodara division. Meanwhile, train number 12755, the Kakinada Port–Bhavnagar Superfast Express, will be delayed by approximately 45 minutes, and train number 12474, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Gandhidham Express, will be delayed by about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The railway administration has requested passengers to check the official website for train timings, halts, and other updated information before traveling.

Vadodara: Action against accused involved in illegal tree cutting and theft from railway land by Railway Protection Force

Loktej English Team — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:29:46 +0530

The Railway Protection Force's Ankleshwar team has arrested 09 individuals involved in the illegal cutting and theft of trees from railway land as part of a significant operation to secure railway property. According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of the Western Railway's Vadodara division, information was received on April 18, 2026, regarding the cutting and theft of trees from railway land between the Kosad and Gothangav railway stations in the Vadodara division.

Subsequently, the Railway Protection Force team from Ankleshwar acted swiftly and conducted a raid at the scene, where 09 accused were caught red-handed. Wood from railway acacia trees weighing a total of 21,985 kilograms and valued at approximately ₹1,31,910 was recovered from the arrested individuals. Additionally, 02 trucks, one electronic cutting machine, and 02 axes used in the theft were also seized.

A case has been registered against the accused under Section 3 of the Railway Property (Unlawful Occupation) Act on April 19, 2026. The investigation is being conducted by the Railway Protection Force.

Out of the 09 arrested individuals, 02 are currently in judicial custody, while the remaining 07 have been released on bail by the honorable railway court. The Railway Protection Force of the Vadodara division will continue to take strict action against such illegal activities to secure railway property.

Vadodara: Divisional Railway Manager Raju Bhadke reviews crowd management arrangements at Vadodara station

Loktej English Team — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:32:04 +0530

Divisional Railway Manager Raju Bhadke visited Vadodara station today to review the facilities provided to passengers during the summer season and the crowd management arrangements. As per a press release issued by Western Railway's Public Relations Officer Anubhav Saxena, Raju Bhadke instructed all officials and station staff to ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience and to keep all arrangements at the station operational for passenger convenience.

In light of the additional crowd of passengers, special efforts for crowd management have been made by the Vadodara division. A holding area of 350 square meters has been created at Vadodara station, where passengers can relax before their trains arrive. Basic facilities such as seating arrangements, clean drinking water, and adequate lighting have been provided in the holding area.

To assist passengers, round-the-clock ticket checking and additional staff from the Railway Protection Force have been deployed to ensure no inconvenience is caused. Extra booking counters have been opened at Vadodara station to facilitate ticket purchasing. To make ticketing easier for passengers, mobile ticketing arrangements have also been made by ticket checkers.

The number of passengers at the station is being continuously monitored, and travel safety is being ensured through CCTV cameras. Railway Protection Force personnel are using walkie-talkies for seamless digital communication during duty to maintain effective coordination and ensure security.

The Vadodara division of Western Railway appeals to everyone to purchase tickets and follow the instructions of railway staff available at the station. Western Railway is committed to making passengers' journeys convenient and comfortable.

The Vadodara division of Western Railway Sets New Records in Financial Year 2025-26

Loktej English Team — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:23:42 +0530

The Vadodara division of Western Railway has set new records in the financial year 2025-26 under the proficient leadership of Divisional Railway Manager Raju Bhadke. During this period, the division achieved a total passenger revenue of ₹697.57 crore, which is an increase of 8.34% compared to ₹638.68 crore in the financial year 2024-25.

The division successfully met the targets for both passenger revenue and ticket checking revenue. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Narendra Kumar reported that the division collected over ₹18.50 crore from ticket checking, which is 18.42% more than the previous financial year, along with earning ₹7.23 crore in non-fare revenue, an increase of 4.47% from ₹6.92 crore last year. The division also earned ₹13.89 crore in sundry revenue, marking the highest revenue growth, surpassing the previous year's ₹13.57 crore.

The commercial department of the Vadodara division generated ₹3.70 crore in parking revenue, exceeding last year's ₹3.33 crore, and ₹2.76 crore in catering revenue, which is more than the previous year's ₹2.70 crore. The division recorded a passenger count of 50.28 million, which is 14.32% higher than last year's 43.98 million, representing an extraordinary achievement. The division noted a 112% reduction in rail help complaints and a 60% improvement in resolution time.

To enhance and modernize passenger facilities, Vadodara station has established a unique digital lounge, the second of its kind in Indian Railways. The Vadodara division also played a unique role in the awareness campaign for the Rail One app. This achievement by the commercial department is the result of intensive and regular ticket checking campaigns, increased regional supervision, and robust vigilance to ensure compliance among passengers.

This success reflects the coordinated efforts, effective monitoring, and efficiency of the team. The Vadodara division continues to strive for better passenger services and revenue growth, with plans to expand such modern facilities in the future.

Vadodara: Campaign to Make Vadodara Child Marriage Free Intensifies, Administration Takes Strict Measures to Prevent Child Marriage

Loktej English Team — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:20:18 +0530

The District Social Security Office of Vadodara has intensified awareness and prevention efforts under the 'Child Marriage Free Vadodara' campaign against the social evil of child marriage. The aim of this campaign is to completely eradicate the practice of child marriage from the district.

The administration has increased vigilance, especially considering occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, as the number of marriages tends to rise during this time, and there is a likelihood of child marriages in several areas. To prevent this, a joint campaign is being conducted with the cooperation of the district administration, police department, child protection unit, and various social organizations. Awareness committees formed in rural and urban areas are informing people about the legal and social consequences of child marriage.

Parents and youth are being educated about the importance of education and marrying at the right age to secure their children's future. It is noteworthy that under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act-2006, marrying a girl under the age of 18 and a boy under the age of 21 is a punishable offense. The administration has made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against not only those who conduct the marriages but also against everyone involved.

Additionally, the district administration has appealed to citizens to report any instances of child marriage to the relevant department immediately. For this purpose, the Childline number 1098, police helpline 100, and the district social security office number 0265-2428028 have been issued. The administration has called upon all citizens to play an aware and responsible role, urging them to work together against the evil practice of child marriage and to bring about positive change in society.

Vadodara: Visually Impaired from Birth, but Illuminated by Determination: Gauri Makes History with 93.3 Percent

Loktej English Team — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:28:01 +0530

A student from Vadodara has proven through her indomitable courage and determination that success requires strong will rather than vision. Gauri Yogiraj Shardul, a student at Sankul School, achieved 93.3 percent in the CBSE Class 10 board examination despite being visually impaired from birth.

Gauri aims to gain admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and is moving forward with full confidence and dedication in this direction. Her achievement is not just an academic success but also conveys the message that limits exist only where our dreams are confined. Gauri's journey of struggle and success began at the age of two and a half when she enrolled in the Sankul run by the Deepak Foundation.

Her talent was recognized early on, and it was guided in the right direction. Under the guidance of the school principal Bharat Vaya and dedicated teachers, Gauri mastered Braille and assistive technologies at a young age. She consistently performed excellently by turning her challenges into strengths.

Known for her curiosity and deep attachment to learning, Gauri attributes her success to the continuous support of her teachers and mentors. The school administration stated that Gauri never allowed her limitations to come in the way of her dreams. Gauri's achievement is not only an inspiration for other students but also demonstrates that any obstacle can be overcome with true effort and a positive attitude.

Change in Timing and Route of Vadodara–Mau Special Train, Now Operated from Pratapnagar

Loktej English Team — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:31:55 +0530

The Western Railway has made significant modifications to the timing and route of the Vadodara–Mau Special Train to accommodate passenger convenience and additional crowd. This change has been implemented due to a mega block on the Kanpur Central–Kanpur Bridge Left Bank section of the Northern Railway's Lucknow division.

The train is now being operated from Pratapnagar Station instead of Vadodara Junction and will start and end here from April 11, 2026. According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of the Vadodara division, the route of the train has also been changed. Previously, the train ran via Tundla, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, and Sultanpur, but it will now operate on a new route via Tundla, Govindpuri, Prayagraj, Gyanpur Road, Banaras, and Aurihar.

Under train number 09195/09196 Pratapnagar–Mau Weekly Special, train number 09195 Pratapnagar–Mau Superfast Special will depart from Pratapnagar every Saturday at 4:00 PM and reach Mau the next day at 6:00 PM. This service will continue from April 11, 2026, to July 25, 2026. Meanwhile, train number 09196 Mau–Pratapnagar Superfast Special will depart from Mau every Sunday at 11:25 PM and arrive at Pratapnagar on Tuesday at 3:15 AM.

This service will operate from April 12, 2026, to July 26, 2026. The train will stop at Vadodara, Godhra, Dahod, Ratlam Junction, Kota Junction, Gangapur City, Bayana Junction, Roopwas, Agra Cantt, Fatehabad, Bhabhar, Etawah, Govindpuri, Prayagraj Junction, Gyanpur Road, Banaras, Varanasi, and Aurihar stations in both directions. The railway administration has requested passengers to visit the official website www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in for detailed information regarding the train's stops, timings, and structure.

Review of Local Body Election Preparations in Vadodara, Observer Lochan Sehra Provides Guidelines

Loktej English Team — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:15:20 +0530

A significant review meeting was held in Vadodara under the chairmanship of Election Observer Lochan Sehra regarding the preparations for the local body general elections proposed by the Gujarat State Election Commission. District and Taluka Panchayat Observer Raj Suthar was particularly present at the meeting.

During the meeting, Returning Officers were provided necessary guidance to conduct the election process in a fair, transparent, and organized manner. The observer conducted a detailed review of the arrangements being made for the elections of the Municipal Corporation, District Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat, and Municipalities. Lochan Sehra emphasized the importance of conducting the voting process smoothly and peacefully during this significant democratic event.

He instructed all officials to ensure strict adherence to the model code of conduct. The meeting also included an extensive discussion on the sensitive polling centers in the district and the law and order situation, along with necessary suggestions. District Election Officer and Collector Anil Dhameliya presented information on the preparations made so far in the district and upcoming plans.

Meanwhile, Sub-District Election Officer Keliya provided detailed information regarding EVM allocation, strong room arrangements, and staff training through a presentation. All officials and staff related to the election, including the nodal officer and returning officer, were present on this occasion.

Vadodara: Western Railway Vadodara Division to Celebrate 'World Heritage Day', Free Entry to Railway Heritage Museum

Loktej English Team — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:41:04 +0530

On the occasion of 'World Heritage Day', the Western Railway's Vadodara Division has announced a special initiative for the general public. The division has decided to open the Railway Heritage Museum, Rolling Stock Park, and Heritage Park located in Pratapnagar for free from April 13 to April 18, 2026.

According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vadodara Division, this complex will be open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during this period. The aim of this initiative is to familiarize as many people as possible with the rich and glorious heritage of Indian Railways. Anil Kumar, the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer of Vadodara Division, mentioned that the Railway Heritage Museum in Pratapnagar preserves the narrow-gauge heritage of Indian Railways.

The displayed items are of historical significance and play an important role in informing the new generation about the development and technological progress of the railways. He stated that this invaluable heritage has been preserved and showcased through the Heritage Park, Museum, and Rolling Stock Park, allowing visitors to closely understand the history of the railways. The Western Railway, Vadodara Division has appealed to all citizens to take advantage of this opportunity and visit this historical site with their families and friends to connect with the heritage of Indian Railways.

Establishment of 2.722 MWp Solar Plant by Vadodara Division to Save Rs. 2.92 Crore Annually

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:30:44 +0530

The Vadodara division of Western Railway is making significant progress in energy efficiency by continuously increasing the use of solar energy in line with Indian Railways' green energy policy. During the financial year 2025-26, under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Raju Bhadke, the electrical department of the Vadodara division installed rooftop solar plants with a total capacity of 2.722 megawatts peak (MWp).

These solar plants will result in an annual savings of approximately Rs. 2.92 crore for the division, marking a significant achievement in optimizing energy costs. Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (Power) Pradeep Meena mentioned that this initiative is also making a significant contribution to environmental protection.

The plants are expected to produce approximately 3.64 million units of solar energy annually, leading to a remarkable improvement in energy utilization efficiency. Additionally, based on the standard grid emission factor, these plants are estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 2632 tons. Over the estimated lifespan of 25 years, approximately 65,800 tons of CO₂ emissions can be avoided.

He noted that the electrical department (Power) is promoting clean energy through the installation of rooftop solar plants at railway stations, service buildings, and complexes, thereby reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. Solar plants have been installed at various key locations in the division, including the Vadodara station complex, electric loco shed, and other service buildings such as Ankleshwar station. Solar energy production has been ensured by utilizing the rooftops of the running room, TTE rest room, retiring room, RRI, lobby, and office buildings at Vadodara station.

Similarly, effective use of available infrastructure has been made in the loco shed and other complexes. The Vadodara division is committed to further enhancing the use of clean energy through the expansion of solar energy capacity and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the future. With planned implementation and continuous monitoring, the division is progressing towards building an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly railway system.