Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Major Rail, Industrial Projects in Bhavnagar; Flags Off Bhavnagar-Ayodhya Weekly Express
Bhavnagar, August 3: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday launched a slew of infrastructure and industrial development initiatives in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, including the flagging off of the Bhavnagar-Ayodhya weekly train and the announcement of new railway terminals, cargo facilities, and a port container terminal. He also held a ‘Viksit Bharat Samvad’ with local industry leaders and visited a container manufacturing unit to boost the region’s industrial prospects.
Accompanied by Union Minister Dr Mansukhbhai Mandaviya and Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya, the Railway Minister visited Aawadkrupa Plastomech Pvt Ltd, a container manufacturing company located in Navagam on the Bhavnagar–Rajkot Road. The company currently manufactures around 15 containers per day and has the capacity to scale up to 100 containers daily. Vaishnaw inspected the entire production process and assured full government support to enable Bhavnagar to emerge as a container manufacturing hub.
New Train Services Flagged Off
Later in the day, the Railway Minister flagged off three new express trains:
- Bhavnagar–Ayodhya Express
- Rewa–Pune (Hadapsar) Express
- Jabalpur–Raipur Express
Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Dr Mohan Yadav and Vishnu Deo Sai, joined the ceremony via video conference. The Bhavnagar–Ayodhya train, which will operate weekly, is being projected as a cultural and spiritual link between Saurashtra and the sacred city of Ayodhya.
Vaishnaw said the new trains would enhance regional connectivity, boost tourism and trade, and support tribal areas like Satna and Maihar. He emphasized the government’s focus on railway modernization, noting that 34,000 km of new railway lines have been built over the past 11 years—an unprecedented average of 12 km per day. He also highlighted the redevelopment of 1,300 stations, calling it the world’s largest station modernization drive.
Infrastructure Expansion and Announcements
The Minister announced several new projects in and around Bhavnagar:
- Development of two new railway terminals
- Construction of a port container terminal
- Daily service of the upcoming Porbandar–Rajkot train
- New coach maintenance facility at Ranavav
- Saradiya–Wansjaliya railway line
- New flyover at Bhadrakali Gate in Porbandar
- Two new Gati Shakti cargo terminals
He reiterated that India’s first bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is nearing completion, promising a travel time of just 2 hours and 7 minutes once operational.
Viksit Bharat Samvad in Bhavnagar
In a separate interaction at ISKCON Fern, Vaishnaw held a ‘Viksit Bharat Samvad’ with traders, industrialists, and local leaders. Addressing the gathering, he said India’s economy reached ₹331 lakh crore as of March 31, 2025, making it the fourth-largest economy in the world. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the country’s post-pandemic economic growth, noting that while global economies slowed, India’s growth rate accelerated.
Vaishnaw spoke in detail about indigenous innovations like the Vande Bharat trains, highlighting their modern amenities and lower fares compared to global counterparts. He also emphasized India’s rising status in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, with a sector valuation of $150 billion.
During the event, he announced the development of a container port in Bhavnagar and took immediate action on a citizen request for an IT park under STPI, directing officials to move forward with the proposal.
Leaders Express Gratitude
Dr. Mandaviya lauded the transformation of Indian Railways and thanked Vaishnaw for the new Ayodhya train, which he said will offer pilgrims from Saurashtra a direct spiritual connection to Ram Janmabhoomi. Minister Bambhaniya also expressed appreciation, calling the train a bridge between Bhavnagar’s industrious spirit and Ayodhya’s devotion.
The events were attended by several local dignitaries including MLAs, the Mayor, the District Collector, and senior railway and administrative officials.
With major rail connectivity projects, manufacturing support, and responsive governance, the Union Ministers’ visit marks a significant step in integrating Bhavnagar into India’s rapidly modernizing infrastructure and industrial landscape.
