Vadodara : Western Railway is implementing a significant amendment to the Tatkal booking system following guidelines issued by the Railway Board. Under the new procedure, Tatkal tickets will now be issued only after the verification of a One Time Password generated by the system. This code will be sent to the mobile number provided by the passenger at the time of booking, and the ticket will be generated solely upon the successful validation of this password.

According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, and as per agency report, this OTP-based authentication system was initially implemented on December 1, 2025, for the Mumbai Central - Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Following this initial phase, the system is being extended to several other prominent trains starting from December 5, 2025.

The trains scheduled to adopt this system from the fifth of December include the Mumbai Central - Indore Duranto Express, Mumbai Central - Hisar Duranto Express, Mumbai Central - Hapa Duranto Express, and the Ahmedabad - Pune Duranto Express. Additionally, the Sabarmati - Jodhpur Vande Bharat, Mumbai Central - New Delhi Rajdhani Tejas, Mumbai Central - Hazrat Nizamuddin A.K. Rajdhani Tejas Express, and the Sabarmati - New Delhi Rajdhani Express will also operate under these new booking protocols.

This new system applies to all Tatkal bookings made through computerized PRS counters, authorized agents, the IRCTC website, and the IRCTC mobile app. The primary objective of this change is to bring transparency to the Tatkal booking process and ensure better facilities for genuine passengers seeking tickets. Travelers are requested to provide a valid mobile number during the booking process to ensure the verification completes smoothly, and Western Railway has urged all passengers to take note of this important modification.

New Delhi, November 18: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that the inauguration of India's first bullet train will take place in August 2027, with the service initially operating on a 100-kilometer stretch between Surat and Vapi in Gujarat. This marks a revision from the earlier plan, where the initial phase was scheduled to cover a 50-kilometer distance between Surat and Bilimora within the same timeline.

The country's first 508-kilometer high-speed rail corridor is being constructed between Sabarmati in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, designed to accommodate bullet trains running at a speed of 320 kilometers per hour. The minister detailed the travel efficiency of the new system, stating that the train will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in one hour and 58 minutes if it stops at four stations. However, if the service halts at all 12 stations, the complete journey will take two hours and 17 minutes.

Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Surat station, Vaishnaw noted that the Prime Minister was satisfied with the speed of construction. As per agency report, the Prime Minister remarked that the learnings derived from this project should be utilized not only in railways and other high-speed projects but also in various other sectors, highlighting that the initiative has seen consecutive innovations.

Describing the initiative as a complex project where the design remains the biggest challenge, the minister emphasized that the entire project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2029. While the Railway Ministry has awarded a contract to a joint venture led by Siemens to install the signaling system on the corridor, industry experts have indicated that this system might not be suitable for the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train. Furthermore, the ministry has asked Bharat Earth Movers Limited to indigenously develop a high-speed train capable of running at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

Vadodara, November 3: Western Railway is conducting an intensive ticket-checking drive across the Vadodara Division to ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for bona fide passengers on Mail/Express, Passenger and Holiday Special trains. The campaign is designed to curb ticketless and irregular travel and reinforce compliance across the division.

As per agency report, eight ticket checking staff members were recognised in October for outstanding performance. A press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, Public Relations Officer of the Vadodara Division, noted that Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Narendra Kumar presented commendation certificates to acknowledge their efforts in strengthening on-board vigilance and passenger services.

Those honoured include D. V. Chaudhary, P. K. Jha, Sunil Pandeer, Shailendra Kshatriya, H. J. Lotia, P. S. Chauhan, Mrs. Bhumika Patel and Ratilal Vasava. Among them, Mrs. Bhumika Patel achieved a special distinction by recording the highest single-day revenue through action against irregular travellers during checks. The division underlined that such initiatives will continue with the objective of delivering better and transparent services to passengers while maintaining a strong deterrent against fare evasion.

In the lead-up to World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, Western Railway (WR) has launched a comprehensive environmental campaign themed “Beat Plastic Pollution.” The initiative, running from May 22 to June 5, focuses on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability across railway premises, trains, and stations.

According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the campaign began with a mass awareness drive held between May 22 and 24. Over 7,800 employees and citizens participated in activities such as pledge-taking ceremonies, rallies, and street plays to raise awareness about plastic pollution. Participants pledged to actively contribute to eliminating plastic waste.

As per report, both ground-level and digital awareness efforts were undertaken. Informative digital creatives, web cards, and videos were displayed on train and station TV screens, urging passengers to carry reusable water bottles under the theme “Bring Your Own Bottle.”

From May 25 to 27, Western Railway conducted a cleanliness drive, installing waste segregation bins at platforms and organizing station and colony clean-up activities with support from local NGOs and community groups. Collected plastic waste was handed over to recycling units or local authorities. Awareness sessions and pamphlet distribution further reinforced the message among staff and residents.

The campaign also introduced biodegradable cutlery and encouraged the use of sustainable alternatives such as cloth and jute bags. Workshops on plastic reduction and waste segregation were organized to educate stakeholders on eco-friendly practices.

This initiative reflects Western Railway’s continued commitment to green transport, responsible waste management, and environmental consciousness. The core objectives of the campaign include reducing reliance on single-use plastic (SUP), promoting sustainable alternatives, and inspiring both citizens and railway personnel to embrace environmental responsibility.

With this campaign, Western Railway reinforces its dedication to providing a cleaner environment for passengers while also playing a pivotal role in India’s mission to become plastic-free.

Vadodara : Sachin Ashok Sharma (IRTS 2008), Secretary to the General Manager of Western Railway, has successfully completed one of the world’s most grueling endurance events—the Ironman Triathlon—held in Port Macquarie, Australia. The Ironman challenge is regarded as the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance, traditionally involving a 3.8 km open-water swim, 180 km of cycling, and a 42.2 km full marathon, all to be completed within 17 hours.

According to an official press release issued by Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, Sharma completed the Ironman Triathlon in 12 hours, 26 minutes, and 52 seconds. With this, he became the first Indian Railway officer to achieve the Ironman title.

In a dramatic turn of events, the swimming segment of the triathlon was cancelled due to heavy rains and safety concerns. The event began at 9:45 am with the 180 km cycling leg, taking athletes along a scenic yet punishing route beside the Pacific Ocean and through dense forest terrain. The course featured an elevation of 1,800 meters and included the notoriously steep Matthew Flinders Drive, with a 17% incline that forced many participants to walk their bikes uphill. However, Sharma completed this climb with remarkable determination and endurance.

Following the cycling segment, Sharma transitioned into the 42.2 km marathon run, which passed through the picturesque coastal town of Port Macquarie along the Hastings River. Amid cheers from the crowd and local supporters, Sharma crossed the finish line and was officially declared an “Ironman,” receiving the coveted finisher’s medal.

Despite earning the Ironman title, Sharma felt the experience was incomplete without the swim segment. In a display of his unwavering commitment to the Ironman legacy, he undertook a solo 3.8 km open-water swim in the cold waters of the Southern Pacific Ocean at Geelong, thereby symbolically completing the full Ironman distance and preserving the integrity of the title.

Sharma’s remarkable journey is a testament to perseverance, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Prior to this, he completed numerous endurance events including the Ladakh Full Marathon (42 km) in 2022, the 72 km Khardung La Challenge and another Ladakh Marathon in 2023, the 86 km Comrades Marathon in South Africa, and the Silk Route Ultra Marathon in Ladakh earlier this year.

His dedication to fitness aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister’s 'Fit India Movement,' encouraging citizens to integrate physical activity and sports into their daily lives. Western Railway has congratulated Sharma on this outstanding achievement and extended best wishes for his future races, recognizing him as a source of inspiration in the world of endurance sports.

To accommodate passenger demand and enhance travel convenience during the summer season, Western Railway has announced the operation of a weekly summer special train between Ahmedabad and Danapur on special fare. As per agency report, train number 09407/09408 Ahmedabad–Danapur–Ahmedabad Summer Special will operate for a total of 14 trips.

Train number 09407 Ahmedabad–Danapur Special will depart from Ahmedabad every Tuesday at 9:20 AM from May 6 to June 17, 2025, and reach Danapur the following day at 7:00 PM. In the return direction, train number 09408 Danapur–Ahmedabad Special will depart from Danapur every Wednesday at 10:30 PM from May 7 to June 18, 2025, and arrive in Ahmedabad on the third day at 6:00 AM.

The train will halt in both directions at the following stations: Nadiad, Chhayapuri, Ratlam, Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Sagar, Damoh, Katni Murwara, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, and Ara. The composition of the train will include AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper Class, and General Class coaches.

Bookings for train number 09407 will commence on May 2, 2025, at all passenger reservation centers and on the IRCTC website. Passengers are advised to visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in for detailed information on train schedules, halts, and coach configurations.

Mumbai, April 30 — Western Railway has successfully completed infrastructure upgrades related to the construction of additional pit lines at Bandra Terminus. As a result, the terminal point for Train Nos. 12925/12926 Mumbai Central–Amritsar Western Express is being shifted back from Mumbai Central to Bandra Terminus.

According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the changes will be implemented as follows: Train No. 12925 Western Express, currently originating from Mumbai Central, will depart from Bandra Terminus at 11:30 AM starting July 1, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 12926 from Amritsar will now terminate at Bandra Terminus at 2:30 PM from July 3, 2025, instead of Mumbai Central.

There will be no change in halts or timings at intermediate stations along the route. Passengers seeking detailed information regarding the schedule, halts, and coach composition of these trains are advised to visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in.

Vadodara, April 25 – In view of the increased travel demand during the Akhatij festival, Western Railway has announced the operation of a special superfast train between Bandra Terminus and Bhavnagar Terminus. The train will operate on a special fare basis and will run for two trips to accommodate passengers during the festive season.

According to a press release issued by Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, the schedule for the special train is as follows. Train number 09013, Bandra Terminus to Bhavnagar Terminus Superfast Special, will depart from Bandra Terminus at 7:25 PM on April 29, 2025 (Tuesday) and reach Bhavnagar Terminus at 9:00 AM the following day. In the return direction, train number 09014, Bhavnagar Terminus to Bandra Terminus Superfast Special, will depart from Bhavnagar Terminus at 5:45 PM on April 30, 2025 (Wednesday) and arrive at Bandra Terminus at 7:25 AM the next day.

As per agency report, this special train will halt at Borivali, Palghar, Vapi, Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Surendranagar Gate, Botad Junction, Dhola Junction, Songadh, and Sihor stations in both directions. It will offer AC 3-tier and AC chair car coaches to ensure passenger comfort during the journey.

Booking for trains 09013 and 09014 will commence from April 26, 2025, and tickets will be available at all PRS counters as well as through the IRCTC website. Passengers are advised to regularly check for updates regarding timings, stoppages, and other details on the official Indian Railways enquiry portal (www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in).

This special train service is a commendable initiative by Western Railway to provide convenience and ease of travel for passengers celebrating the auspicious occasion of Akhatij.

Ahmedabad, April 24 – In response to passenger demand and to enhance travel convenience, Western Railway has announced additional halts for the Vatva–Hubballi Special train at Satara, Karad, and Sangli stations. These new stoppages will come into effect from April 27 and 28, 2025.

As per agency report, train number 07334 (Vatva–Hubballi Special), starting from April 28, will now arrive at Satara station at 10:17 AM and depart at 10:20 AM, reach Karad at 11:17 AM and depart at 11:20 AM, and arrive at Sangli station at 1:28 PM with a departure scheduled at 1:30 PM.

Conversely, train number 07333 (Hubballi–Vatva Special), from April 27, will halt at Sangli station at 2:52 AM and depart at 2:55 AM, stop at Karad station at 3:52 AM and depart at 3:55 AM, and reach Satara at 4:57 AM, departing at 5:00 AM.

Railway authorities have urged passengers to plan their travel accordingly in light of the updated schedule. For more details regarding the train’s timetable, halts, coach composition, and other updates, travelers are advised to visit [www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in].

Vadodara, April 18 – In a significant move to enhance passenger convenience, the Vadodara Division of Western Railway has expanded its digital payment and ticketing services across major stations. This initiative aims to eliminate long-standing queues and cash-related inconveniences by introducing faster, easier, and cashless ticketing options.

Automatic ticket vending machines (ATVMs) have been installed at key stations including Vadodara, Ankleshwar, Bharuch, Anand, Nadiad, and Godhra. These machines allow passengers to book unreserved tickets independently, saving valuable time and reducing dependence on traditional booking counters.

Additionally, the UTS mobile ticketing app has been actively implemented in the division. Through this app, passengers can conveniently book paperless tickets from anywhere outside the station premises using their smartphones.

To further strengthen the digital infrastructure, dynamic QR code-based UPI payment systems have been introduced at all reserved and unreserved ticket counters. Passengers can now make instant payments using popular UPI-enabled apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, effectively resolving issues related to loose change.

With these advancements, the Vadodara Division is taking a major step toward aligning Indian Railways with the digital age. The administration has affirmed its commitment to introducing more cutting-edge services in the future to enhance the travel experience and efficiency of operations.

Surat – To tackle the annual surge in passenger traffic during the summer holidays, Western Railway has adopted advanced drone surveillance technology to enhance crowd management and ensure passenger safety at Surat and Udhna railway stations. Following a successful trial run at Udhna station, authorities have now extended drone-based monitoring operations for the next two months.

Each year, the summer season and festival periods witness a massive influx of passengers from Gujarat travelling back to their native states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Odisha. With over 10,000 passengers passing through Udhna station on peak days, the resulting overcrowding often leads to chaos and severe inconvenience for travelers. To mitigate these challenges, drone technology has been introduced as a strategic solution.

As per agency report, the pilot project conducted at Udhna station delivered promising results, prompting railway authorities to implement daily drone surveillance between 4:00 am and 12:00 noon. The coverage includes key areas such as platforms, station entrances, circulation areas, and foot over bridges, offering a bird’s-eye view of crowd dynamics and movement patterns.

This initiative is being jointly monitored by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), in collaboration with Instagreen Technology. A Central Monitoring Unit has been set up at the station to oversee real-time footage captured by the drones, enabling faster decision-making and immediate response to any untoward incident.

The primary goals of this surveillance system are to assess real-time crowd conditions, prevent disorder through proactive action, identify potential security threats, and pay special attention to unreserved trains such as the Tapti Ganga Express and Antyodaya Express, which are known to experience heavy rush during this season.

Railway officials believe that this tech-enabled initiative could revolutionize station management in the long run, making railway premises more orderly, secure, and responsive to passenger needs.

Surat, April 16: Udhna Railway Station's platform number 1 has been shut down for 120 days starting April 15 due to ongoing concourse construction as part of the station's redevelopment project. During this period, all trains that typically halt at platform 1 will be diverted to platforms 2, 3, 4, or 5. Additionally, seven major trains, including the Gujarat Queen and Flying Ranee, will temporarily skip the Udhna stop and halt only at Surat Railway Station.

According to railway authorities, the construction involves installing pillars for the concourse above platform 1. Similar work has already been completed on platforms 2, 3, and 4. Passenger movement on platform 1 will remain fully suspended until June 15, 2025.

As per agency report, the following trains will now operate only from Surat Railway Station for the next 120 days:

• 19033 Gujarat Queen

• 12921 Flying Ranee (Surat to Mumbai Central)

• 59049 Valsad–Viramgam Passenger

• 19101 Virar–Bharuch MEMU

• 19015 Saurashtra Express

• 69151 Valsad–Surat MEMU

• 19417 Borivali–Vatva Passenger

The railway department has requested passengers to verify train departure stations and schedules in advance to avoid inconvenience. Once the redevelopment work is complete, passengers can expect enhanced facilities at Udhna station. Authorities have assured that construction will be completed within the scheduled timeline.

In response to overcrowding after the departure of the Udhna–Jaynagar train on Sunday, a special train from Udhna to Danapur has been announced. However, delays in the arrival of designated coaches led the railway to prepare an additional rake. The Udhna–Danapur special will now operate using ICF coaches, and the rake has already arrived in Surat. The deployment of extra coaches is expected to streamline operations of special trains, especially as several trains heading to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand have been running late on their return trips. The additional ICF-coach trains will help ensure better on-time performance.