Chandigarh to have second Vande Bharat, running weekly from March 14.

Initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, this addition is set to enhance Chandigarh’s links to the national capital, New Delhi, and Rajasthan.

The railway service has unveiled a second Vande Bharat train for the city, scheduled to commence operations from Thursday.

The weekly train service that previously operated between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt has now been extended to Chandigarh.

Initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, this addition is set to enhance the city’s links to the national capital, New Delhi, and Rajasthan.

The Vande Bharat Superfast Express (Train number 20977) departs from Ajmer at 6.20 am every Thursday, reaching Delhi Cantt at 11.30 am and then Chandigarh at 2.45 pm. Its return journey from Chandigarh begins at 3.15 pm on Thursday, arriving at Delhi Cantt at 6.23 pm. This expanded route includes stops at Jaipur, Gurugram, and Delhi Cantt, benefiting commuters travelling between Punjab, Ajmer, Jaipur, and Delhi. The route is expected to enhance tourism and business opportunities.

Chandigarh’s second Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week, excluding Fridays.

The Prime Minister inaugurated 10 new Vande Bharat trains and announced the extension of four existing routes, two freight corridors, two passenger trains, seven freight trains, 222 goods sheds, 50 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, 1,500 one-station one-product (OSOP) projects, 35 rail coach restaurants, and 51 Gati Shakti cargo terminals. These projects, valued at over ₹85,000 crore, signify a significant investment in the country’s infrastructure and transportation network.

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Ambala Division experienced significant enhancements, including a Gati Shakti cargo terminal, eight goods sheds, the doubling of the Rajpura-Bathinda rail section, seven OSOP projects, a Janaushadhi Kendra, and 13 cargo handling points.

UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit and Ambala Divisional Railway Manager Mandeep Singh Bhatia attended the inauguration in Ludhiana.