Indian Railways Upgrades Rajasthan Network: Jodhpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Expanded to 20 Coaches, New Jaisalmer Coach Care Complex Launched
JODHPUR, MAY 22, 2026 — In a major boost to connectivity and tourism infrastructure in Rajasthan, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, officially flagged off enhanced railway services from Jodhpur Railway Station today. The high-profile event marked the expansion of the Jodhpur-Delhi Cantonment Vande Bharat Express to a 20-coach formation, the extension of the Sabarmati-Jodhpur Express all the way to Jaisalmer, and the virtual inauguration of a state-of-the-art Coach Care Complex in Jaisalmer.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the central government’s aggressive push toward modernizing India’s rail network, noting that Rajasthan’s railway development budget has seen a monumental surge to approximately ₹10,000 crore, compared to just ₹700–800 crore in previous years. To accommodate growing passenger demand, the Jodhpur-Delhi Cantonment Vande Bharat Superfast Express (Train 26481/26482) will transition from an 8-coach to a 20-coach rake starting May 24, 2026, comprising 16 AC Chair Cars, 2 Executive Chair Cars, and 2 Driver Power Cars. Furthermore, a new coaching terminal in Jodhpur and a dedicated Vande Bharat Sleeper Terminal at Bhagat Ki Kothi are currently under development to facilitate future long-distance routes to major hubs like Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, with a highly anticipated Jodhpur-to-Haridwar service scheduled to launch within the next 10 months.
Infrastructure Megaprojects and Enhanced Tourism Connectivity
The event also celebrated a critical upgrade for Western Rajasthan’s tourism economy with the launch of the ₹67 crore Coach Care Complex in Jaisalmer. This facility will significantly scale up train maintenance capabilities, enabling the dynamic “Golden City” to handle more incoming trains safely and efficiently. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, railways have evolved from a basic mode of transport into a world-class lifeline for the nation. The enhanced connectivity is expected to directly benefit global and domestic tourism to iconic landmarks such as the Sonar Fort, Patwa Ki Haveli, and the Thar Desert, while opening new economic doors for the Marwar region.
Additionally, track doubling works are progressing rapidly across vital state sectors including Ajmer-Chittorgarh, Luni-Bhildi, and Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur, alongside mega-projects like the Marwar Junction-Maoli gauge conversion and new rail links to spiritual hubs like Pushkar and Ambaji. Station architecture is also receiving a cultural facelift; Jaisalmer’s redevelopment is now complete, Jaipur is being remodeled around its famous “Pink City” aesthetic, and Pali station is undergoing rapid transformation. Boosting regional logistics, Vaishnaw confirmed that 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are planned for Rajasthan, with 12 already operational. The event concluded with the virtual flagging off of the extended Sabarmati-Jaisalmer Daily Superfast Express (Train 20485/20486), promising seamless transit for trade, education, and healthcare commuters between Gujarat and Rajasthan.