The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway recorded its highest-ever freight loading of 51.35 million tonnes in the past year, becoming the eighth-highest loading division in Indian Railways for the first time, Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash announced on 15 August 2025 during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the division's Ahmedabad office premises.

Key Developments Announced

Prakash unfurled the National Flag and inspected a joint parade by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Scouts and Guides before delivering a comprehensive account of the division's performance. The division reported leading results in loading of containers, salt, automobiles, fertilisers, and bentonite.

On the infrastructure front, Gujarat's average annual railway budget has surged from approximately ₹589 crore during 2009–14 to ₹17,366 crore in 2026–27 — a nearly 29-fold increase. Railway works worth ₹1,28,748 crore are currently under way across the state.

Infrastructure and Safety Milestones

More than 2,900 km of new railway lines have been laid in Gujarat since 2014, and over 4,005 km of routes have been electrified. The state has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification, and 1,177 road overbridges and underbridges have been constructed.

Under the Kavach anti-collision safety system, 1,842 route kilometres have been sanctioned. Safety works during the year included removal of 10 permanent speed restrictions, elimination of 139 level crossings, a speed increase over 136 km, completion of 30 ROB/RUB and 53 bridge works, and safety fencing over 376 km. Automatic signalling was commissioned over 169 track kilometres.

A successful speed trial followed the gauge conversion of the Himmatnagar-Khedbrahma section, while doubling works between Gandhidham-Adipur and Samakhiyali-Bhachau were completed. The ₹20,667-crore Ahmedabad-Sarkhej-Dholera semi-high-speed double-line project also received Cabinet approval.

Passenger Services and Revenue

The division invested ₹1,814 crore in passenger amenities, including lifts, escalators, and a modern air-conditioned waiting hall at Ahmedabad station. New train services introduced include the Asarva-Udaipur Vande Bharat, Bhuj-Delhi, and Sabarmati-Lalgarh daily Express services.

Passenger revenue achieved the division's best-ever performance. Ticket-checking revenue stood at ₹31.8 crore and non-fare revenue at ₹14.58 crore. Gujarat currently operates six pairs of Vande Bharat trains, one pair of Amrit Bharat trains, and one pair of Namo Bharat Express services. An additional 87 stations are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with an investment of approximately ₹7,000 crore.

Innovations and Firsts

The division introduced several firsts: Indian Railways' first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU initiative at Sabarmati, the first use of stainless-steel salt containers at Gandhidham, sensor-based monitoring of waterlogging at RUBs, sensor-based train toilet-cleaning monitoring at Kankaria depot, and drone patrolling. A 1,360-tonne portal beam for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project was successfully launched near Maninagar using a 2,200-MT-capacity crane.

Budget Utilisation and Human Resources

During 2025–26, the division utilised 98.45 per cent of its allocated budget, recording net capital expenditure of more than ₹4,386 crore. More than ₹1,759 crore was spent in the current financial year up to July. The division recorded 5,413 promotions, 5,957 training programmes, and 1,093 new appointments. The RPF rescued 121 children, and Operation Amanat returned passengers' lost belongings worth more than ₹1.58 crore. A total of 59 railway employees were presented with medals and certificates for outstanding performance.

As the division marks these milestones, the operationalisation of the Dholera corridor and full Kavach coverage across sanctioned routes will be the next benchmarks to watch.