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North Western Railway has withdrawn two Vande Bharat Express services operating on the Udaipur-Jaipur and Udaipur-Agra routes after persistent low passenger occupancy. The decision follows an internal review that found the premium trains were not generating adequate ridership, particularly on weekdays, despite faster travel times. Higher ticket prices compared with conventional trains were cited as a key factor affecting demand. The withdrawn trainsets will now be redeployed on the upcoming Udaipur City-Asarwa Vande Bharat route to better align capacity with travel demand.
North Western Railway has withdrawn two Vande Bharat Express services connecting Udaipur City with Jaipur Junction and Agra Cantonment after assessing their operational performance and passenger response. The move comes after both routes recorded consistently low occupancy levels, making the services commercially unviable despite their modern features and reduced travel time. Advertisement
The Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, introduced in 2023 to provide faster connectivity between two major cities in Rajasthan, was discontinued during the past week. The train operated on select days of the week but struggled to attract sufficient passengers outside peak travel periods. Railway officials observed that travellers continued to prefer conventional express and superfast trains, which offer lower fares and more flexible timings.
Similarly, the Udaipur-Agra Cantonment Vande Bharat service, launched in September 2024, has also been withdrawn. This route was intended to link key tourist centres in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, passenger turnout remained below expectations, particularly for end-to-end journeys, limiting the route's overall viability.
Officials attributed the weak response largely to the higher fare structure of Vande Bharat trains. In many cases, ticket prices were significantly higher than regular mail or express services, while time savings were relatively modest. As a result, daily commuters and budget-conscious travellers opted for cheaper alternatives.
Following the withdrawal, the Vande Bharat rakes from these two routes are being reassigned to a new Udaipur City-Asarwa Vande Bharat Express, which is expected to commence operations shortly. This upcoming service will connect Udaipur with Ahmedabad via Asarwa and is planned to operate six days a week, reflecting stronger anticipated inter-state demand.
Passengers with existing bookings on the discontinued trains have been advised to seek refunds through the Indian Railways reservation system. Conventional train services on the affected routes will continue to operate as scheduled.
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