In a significant step towards enhancing rail connectivity across various states and addressing long-standing public demand, Indian Railways has introduced three new train services, viz. Train No. 19201/19202 Bhavnagar Terminus – Ayodhya Cantt (Weekly) Express, Train No. 20151/20152 Pune (Hadapsar) – Rewa (Weekly) Superfast Express and Train No. 11701/11702 Raipur – Jabalpur (Daily) Express. The inaugural services of these trains were flagged off by Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh; Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh; Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports and Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Sunday, 3rd August 2025. The inaugural service of Bhavnagar Terminus – Ayodhya Cantt Express was flagged off from Bhavnagar Terminus station, while the inaugural services of Rewa – Pune (Hadapsar) Express and Jabalpur – Raipur Express were flagged off through video conferencing from Bhavnagar Terminus. On this occasion, the local public representatives and railway officials were also present for the function.
Vaishnaw, while addressing the gathering mentioned that in the last 11 years, Indian Railways has undergone a major transformation under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. More than 34000 km of new railway tracks have been laid, with approx. 12 km of railway track being laid per day, which is the first time in the history of Indian Railways. 1300 stations are being redeveloped and transformed into world-class stations. Also, we are running new age trains such as Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and soon Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be introduced.
Further, Minister of Railways announced that a new train service from Porbandar to Rajkot via Wansjaliya and Jetalsar will be introduced very soon, enhancing connectivity in the region. A state-of-the-art coach maintenance facility costing ₹135 crore will be developed at Ranavav station. A new railway line between Saradiya and Wansjaliya has also been sanctioned, which has been a long pending demand. In Porbandar city, a new flyover will be constructed in lieu of Level Crossing (LC) No. 3 near Bhadrakali Gate to ease traffic congestion. Two Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals is also in the pipeline to be set up in Bhavnagar city to boost freight operations. Furthermore, a new port is being developed in Bhavnagar, and a modern container terminal is also in the anvil to connect Bhavnagar Port with major Indian as well as global ports, enabling nationwide cargo movement through containers. Minister also informed that several projects in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are progressing at a fast pace. The work of Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is also advancing rapidly and will be commissioned soon, reducing travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 7 minutes.
Thereafter, Hon’ble Minister visited M/s. APPL Containers Ltd. at Shampara. This facility is a leading manufacturer of container units and is a shining example of the “Make in India” initiative, showcasing India’s manufacturing capabilities and contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Later, Minister proceeded to attend the Viksit Bharat Samvad at ISKCON Club, Bhavnagar. While addressing the gathering here, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s strong economic growth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Citing the success of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, he noted that while many nations struggled post-COVID, India maintained a 6–7% growth rate through an investment-led strategy. He emphasized India’s emergence as a global manufacturing hub, with $150 billion worth of electronics produced in the past 11 years and becoming the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer. The Minister also spoke about India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem in Sanand and Dholera, and announced that Bhavnagar–Dholera connectivity will be explored. He reiterated the importance of Swadeshi Sankalp, support to MSMEs, and the commitment to Make in India, Make for the World, all being carried out with a spirit of Jansewa.
· Train No. 19201/19202 Bhavngar Terminus – Ayodhya Cantt (Weekly) Express
Train No. 19201 Bhavngar Terminus – Ayodhya Cantt Express will depart from Bhavnagar Terminus every Monday at 13:50 hrs, w.e.f. 11th August, 2025 and will reach Ayodhya Cantt at 18:30 hrs, the next day. Similarly, Train No. 19202 Ayodhya Cantt – Bhavnagar Terminus Express will depart from Ayodhya Cantt every Tuesday at 22:30 hrs, w.e.f. 12th August, 2025 and will reach Bhavnagar Terminus at 04:45 hrs, on the third day (Thursday). Enroute this train will halt at Bhavnagar Para, Sihor (Gujarat), Dhola, Botad, Limbdi, Surendranagar Gate, Viramgam, Mahesana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar, Beawar, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Jaipur, Gandhinagar Jaipur, Bandikui, Bharatpur, Idgah Agra, Tundla, Kanpur Central, Lucknow Jn. and Barabanki stations in both directions. The train comprises of AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3 Tier (Economy), Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches.
The newly introduced Train No. 19201/19202 Bhavnagar Terminus – Ayodhya Cantt Express is a major step towards enhancing fast and seamless rail connectivity between Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Catering to the long-standing demand of the people of Bhavnagar and surrounding regions, this train will offer enhanced convenience to pilgrims, tourists, and passengers travelling for business or employment. The service is expected to not only reduce travel time but also provide a substantial boost to trade and tourism along its route. Furthermore, this improved connectivity will contribute meaningfully to the overall socio-economic development of the Bhavnagar region.
· Train No. 20151/20152 Pune (Hadapsar) – Rewa (Weekly) Superfast Express
Train No. 20151 Pune (Hadapsar) – Rewa Express will depart from Pune (Hadapsar) every Thursday at 15:15 hrs, w.e.f. 07th August, 2025 and will reach Rewa at 17:30 hrs, the next day. Similarly, Train No. 20152 Rewa – Pune (Hadapsar) Weekly Express will depart from Rewa every Wednesday at 06:45 hrs, w.e.f. 06th August, 2025 and will reach Pune (Hadapsar) at 09:45 hrs, the next day. Enroute this train will halt at Daund Chord Line, Ahmednagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Akola, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Balaghat, Nainpur, Jabalpur, Katni and Satna stations in both directions. The train comprises of AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3 Tier (Economy), Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches.
· Train No. 11701/11702 Raipur – Jabalpur (Daily) Express:
Train No. 11701 Raipur – Jabalpur Express will depart from Raipur daily at 14:45 hrs, w.e.f. 04th August, 2025 and will reach Jabalpur at 22:45 hrs, the same day. Similarly, Train No. 11702 Jabalpur – Raipur Express will depart from Jabalpur Daily at 06:00 hrs, w.e.f. 05th August, 2025 and will reach Raipur at 13:50 hrs, the same day. Enroute this train will halt at Durg, Rajnandgaon, Dongargarh, Gondia, Balaghat, Nainpur and Madan Mahal stations in both directions. The train comprises of AC Chair Car, Chair Car and General Second Class coaches.
