PM Modi to flag off Sabarmati-Varanasi Express, Gujarat MEMU on Oct 30
Synopsis
PM Modi will virtually flag off two new Gujarat rail services on 30 October — a daily Sabarmati-Varanasi Express covering over 20 stops across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and UP, and a MEMU for North Gujarat commuters. Together, they address both long-distance pilgrim travel and everyday workforce connectivity in one of India's fastest-growing industrial corridors.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will flag off two new train services in Gujarat via video conferencing on 30 October .
Train 12205 , the Sabarmati-Varanasi Express , will run daily, departing Sabarmati at 5:20 a.m. and reaching Varanasi at 6:30 a.m. the next day.
The express covers 20+ stations across Gujarat , Rajasthan , and Uttar Pradesh , including a direct link to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham .
The Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU will run in morning and evening slots, serving daily commuters, students, and traders in North Gujarat .
The MEMU also improves pilgrim access to the Shri Bahuchar Mata Temple at Becharaji , Mehsana district .
Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash said both services would enhance regional and inter-state rail connectivity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off two new train services in Gujarat on 30 October via video conferencing — a daily express connecting Sabarmati and Varanasi, and a mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) service linking Sabarmati, Becharaji, and Mehsana. The launches are aimed at strengthening both inter-state and regional rail connectivity across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Sabarmati-Varanasi Express: Route and Schedule
Train number 12205, the Sabarmati-Varanasi Express, will depart Sabarmati at 5:20 a.m. daily, arriving at Varanasi at 6:30 a.m. the following day. The return service, train number 12206, will leave Varanasi at 5:30 p.m. and reach Sabarmati by 8:15 p.m. the next day.
The express will halt at Mehsana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar Junction, Beawar, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Jaipur, Gandhinagar Jaipur, Bandikui, Mandawar Mahwa Road, Kherli, Nadbai, Bharatpur, Idgah Agra Junction, Tundla Junction, Govindpuri, Subedarganj, and Mirzapur. The route is particularly significant for pilgrims travelling to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, offering a direct rail option that previously required a change of trains.
Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU: Commuter Focus
The Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU will operate in both morning and evening slots, serving key stations including Chandkheda, Kalol, Kadi, Bhoyani, Katosan Road, Becharaji, Chanasma, and Ranuj.
In the morning direction, the train will depart Sabarmati at 6:40 a.m., reach Becharaji at 8:05 a.m., and arrive at Mehsana at 9:45 a.m. The evening service departs Sabarmati at 5:05 p.m., reaching Becharaji at 6:48 p.m. and Mehsana at 8:25 p.m. Return schedules are equally staggered to serve working-hour travel patterns.
The MEMU is expected to benefit students, salaried employees, traders, and industrial workers commuting across Mehsana, Patan, and surrounding areas. It will also improve access to the Shri Bahuchar Mata Temple at Becharaji in Mehsana district.
What Officials Said
Divisional Railway Manager (Ahmedabad) Ved Prakash said the two services would strengthen regional and inter-state rail connectivity. 'The Sabarmati-Varanasi Express would provide a convenient travel option for devotees visiting Kashi Vishwanath Dham, while the MEMU service would improve access to the Bahuchar Mata Temple and benefit regular commuters in North Gujarat,' he said.
Who Will Attend the Launch
The flagging-off programme at Sabarmati station is scheduled to be attended by Minister of State Darshana Vaghela, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, MPs Hasmukh Patel and Dinesh Makwana, and MLAs Harshad Patel, Jagdish Vishwakarma, and Kaushik Jain, among other dignitaries. At Becharaji station, MPs Hari Patel, Mayank Nayak, Rajesh Shukla, and Chandubhai Sihora, along with MLA Sukhaji Thakor, are expected to attend.
The launches are also expected to support tourism and trade along both corridors, with officials noting broader economic benefits for communities along the route.
Point of View
Modi's own parliamentary constituency, on the eve of the festive season when pilgrim travel peaks. The Sabarmati-Varanasi Express covers a corridor that has historically been underserved by direct rail links, making it a genuine connectivity gain rather than a cosmetic launch. The MEMU, meanwhile, speaks to a different constituency: the industrial and agricultural workforce of North Gujarat, where Mehsana's dairy and pharma clusters generate heavy daily commuter demand. Whether the timetables hold and the promised frequency survives post-launch rationalisation will be the real test of the announcement's durability.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will PM Modi flag off the Sabarmati-Varanasi Express?
PM Modi will flag off the Sabarmati-Varanasi Express on 30 October via video conferencing. The daily service, designated train number 12205, will depart Sabarmati at 5:20 a.m. and reach Varanasi at 6:30 a.m. the following day.
Which stations does the Sabarmati-Varanasi Express stop at?
The express halts at over 20 stations including Mehsana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra Junction, Tundla Junction, and Mirzapur, covering Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It provides a direct link to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi.
What is the Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU service?
It is a mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) commuter train connecting Sabarmati, Becharaji, and Mehsana in North Gujarat, operating in morning and evening slots. The service is designed to benefit daily commuters including students, workers, and traders, as well as pilgrims visiting the Shri Bahuchar Mata Temple at Becharaji.
Who will benefit from the new Gujarat train services?
The Sabarmati-Varanasi Express will benefit passengers and pilgrims travelling across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, including devotees of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The MEMU will serve daily commuters — students, salaried employees, traders, and industrial workers — in and around Mehsana and Patan districts.
Why is the Sabarmati-Varanasi rail link significant?
The route connects Gujarat's Sabarmati to Varanasi — one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites — with a direct daily service for the first time, removing the need for a change of trains. It spans more than 20 intermediate stations and is expected to also boost trade and tourism along the corridor.
