Mumbai–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat upgraded to 20 coaches permanently amid surging demand

Capacity expansion to boost confirmed seats on busy corridor; over 23% Vande Bharat trains now run with 20-coach formation

New Delhi: Indian Railways has made the 20-coach configuration of the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express permanent from April 28, 2026, in response to sustained high demand on one of the country’s busiest inter-city routes.

The augmentation from 16 to 20 coaches adds three AC Chair Car coaches and one Executive Class coach, significantly increasing seating capacity and improving the likelihood of confirmed tickets for passengers.

The decision follows the success of a temporary expansion introduced earlier to manage peak demand, which has now been formalised into a permanent operational arrangement.

The 491-km corridor, connecting two major economic centres, is covered in about five hours and 30 minutes, with halts at Borivali, Vapi, Surat and Vadodara. The route caters to a wide range of travellers including business professionals, students, daily commuters and tourists.

Indian Railways said the move reflects a broader data-driven approach to scale capacity in line with rising passenger demand for faster, more comfortable and punctual rail services.

Vande Bharat trains have seen rapid growth since their introduction in 2019. Nearly 4 crore passengers travelled on these services in FY 2025–26, marking a year-on-year increase of about 34%. Overall, more than 9.1 crore passengers have used Vande Bharat trains across 1 lakh trips.

Out of 162 operational Vande Bharat services, 38 are now running with 20 coaches, accounting for about 23.45% of the fleet, while 34 services operate with 16 coaches and the remaining 90 with 8-coach formations.

Railways said occupancy across the network has consistently exceeded 100%, underlining the growing preference for these semi-high-speed trains.

Designed for enhanced passenger comfort and safety, Vande Bharat trains feature advanced systems such as KAVACH, automatic plug doors, ergonomic seating, improved onboard amenities, and dedicated facilities for Divyangjan passengers.

The Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad service joins other high-demand routes such as the Gandhinagar Capital–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, strengthening connectivity between Gujarat and Maharashtra and supporting economic and commuter mobility across the region.