Bhuj-Delhi Express launched, giving Kutch its first direct Delhi rail link
Synopsis
Kutch — India's largest district and a strategic border region — finally has a direct train to Delhi. The Bhuj-Delhi Express launch is more than a timetable addition; it signals the Centre's push to integrate remote western Gujarat into the national rail grid, backed by ₹1.28 lakh crore in ongoing projects and a 29% jump in the state's railway budget allocation for 2026-27.
Key Takeaways
The Bhuj-Delhi Express was launched on 22 May , providing Kutch its first direct rail link to New Delhi .
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated virtually in the flagging-off ceremony.
Gujarat has ₹1.28 lakh crore worth of railway projects currently under implementation, with 2,900 km of new tracks laid since 2014 .
The state's Railway Budget allocation for 2026-27 stands at ₹17,366 crore — 29% higher than the 2014 figure.
Nearly 348 km of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor is under construction in Gujarat.
Gujarat has received five Vande Bharat Express , one Amrit Bharat , and one Namo Bharat train under recent passenger service expansions.
The Kutch region of Gujarat gained its first direct rail connection to the national capital on Friday, 22 May, as the Bhuj-Delhi Express was formally launched in a ceremony that saw Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participate virtually. The flagging-off marks a long-awaited connectivity milestone for the remote western district, which shares a border with Pakistan.
How the Launch Unfolded
The train was flagged off from Bhuj railway station, with Chief Minister Patel joining the event virtually from Gandhinagar and Railway Minister Vaishnaw participating from Pali, Rajasthan. Minister of State Trikam Chhanga, Member of Parliament Vinod Chavda, local legislators, senior railway officials, and residents were present at the station for the ceremony.
What Gujarat's Chief Minister Said
Addressing the event, Patel thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Ministry for the new direct service and for approving the Ahmedabad-Dholera semi high-speed rail project. He described Indian Railways as 'an important link of transportation' that has undergone 'large-scale transformation in the past 12 years' under Modi's leadership.
On the bullet train project, Patel said the work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor was 'progressing in full swing,' with nearly 348 km of the project under construction in Gujarat.
Railway Investment in Gujarat Since 2014
Patel cited a series of infrastructure figures to underscore the scale of railway expansion in the state. According to him, 2,900 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Gujarat since 2014, and projects worth ₹1.28 lakh crore are currently under implementation. The state has been allocated ₹17,366 crore in the Railway Budget for 2026-27, which he described as 29% higher than the allocation made in 2014.
Notably, Gujarat has also received five Vande Bharat Express trains, one Amrit Bharat train, and one Namo Bharat train as part of the broader passenger services expansion. Rail connectivity to the Statue of Unity via Ekta Nagar station has also been cited as improving tourist access to the landmark.
Broader Significance for Kutch
Kutch, India's largest district by area, has historically been underserved by direct long-distance rail links to major metros. A direct Delhi service reduces travel time and eliminates the need for passengers to change trains at intermediate junctions. This comes amid a wider push to integrate border districts into the national rail network — a priority that carries both economic and strategic dimensions.
With sectoral investment continuing and the bullet train corridor advancing, Gujarat's railway buildout is set to remain a focal point of infrastructure policy in the coming years.
Point of View
But it also addresses a genuine gap — Kutch, despite being India's largest district, has long lacked direct metro rail access. The ₹1.28 lakh crore pipeline figure is striking, but Gujarat's railway expansion narrative is increasingly inseparable from electoral optics, with near every inauguration tied to Modi-era branding. The more substantive question is whether the freight and passenger economics of the Bhuj corridor justify the infrastructure spend relative to other underserved regions. The bullet train corridor's 348-km Gujarat stretch also remains years from completion; progress claims deserve independent verification against original timelines.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhuj-Delhi Express and when was it launched?
The Bhuj-Delhi Express is a new direct train service connecting Bhuj in Kutch, Gujarat, to New Delhi. It was launched on 22 May during a ceremony at Bhuj railway station, with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participating virtually.
Why is the Bhuj-Delhi Express significant for Kutch?
Kutch is India's largest district by area and a strategically important border region that previously lacked a direct long-distance rail connection to the national capital. The new service eliminates the need for passengers to change trains at intermediate stations, reducing travel time and improving connectivity.
How much has the Centre invested in Gujarat's railway infrastructure?
According to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, railway projects worth ₹1.28 lakh crore are currently under implementation in Gujarat, and 2,900 km of new tracks have been laid in the state since 2014. The state's Railway Budget allocation for 2026-27 is ₹17,366 crore, reportedly 29% higher than the 2014 allocation.
What is the status of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project?
According to CM Patel, nearly 348 km of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor is currently under construction in Gujarat. He described the work as progressing 'in full swing,' though no specific completion timeline was mentioned at the event.
Which new trains has Gujarat received under recent railway expansion?
Gujarat has received five Vande Bharat Express trains, one Amrit Bharat train, and one Namo Bharat train as part of the expansion of passenger rail services. Rail connectivity to the Statue of Unity via Ekta Nagar station has also been improved.
