To manage the heavy passenger rush on one of India’s busiest inter-city routes, Western Railway has officially increased the capacity of the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 22961/22962). Starting January 26, 2026, the train will operate with a 20-coach rake, up from its standard 16-coach configuration.
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1. Key Changes & Capacity Boost
This temporary augmentation is designed to accommodate the surge in commuters and business travelers during the peak season.
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Extra Coaches: 4 additional AC Chair Car coaches have been added.
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Seating Increase: An additional 278 seats are now available per trip.
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Effective Dates: This 20-coach arrangement will run from January 26 to March 7, 2026.
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Configuration: The new setup includes 18 AC Chair Car (CC) coaches and 2 Executive Class (EC) coaches.
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2. Route, Schedule & Stoppages
The train continues its high-speed service, connecting the financial hub of Mumbai with Gujarat’s largest city in under 6 hours.
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Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes for the 491 km journey.
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Frequency: Runs 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday); no service on Sundays.
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Intermediate Halts:
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Vadodara Junction
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Surat
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Vapi
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Borivali
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| Train No. | Origin | Departure | Destination | Arrival |
| 22962 | Ahmedabad Jn | 06:05 | Mumbai Central | 11:45 |
| 22961 | Mumbai Central | 15:45 | Ahmedabad Jn | 21:15 |
3. Why the Upgrade?
The Ahmedabad–Mumbai corridor frequently sees occupancy rates exceeding 100%. By deploying the 20-coach rake—one of the longest Vande Bharat configurations in India—Western Railway aims to:
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Reduce waitlisted tickets.
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Minimize “last-minute travel anxiety” for commuters.
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Provide a smoother boarding experience with more available inventory.
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