Ahmedabad: Vadnagar railway station handled around 6,000 passengers during Swadeshi Mela-2026 as Western Railway pushes rail upgrades linking the heritage town with wider tourism, pilgrimage and trade routes in north Gujarat.The mela was held in Vadnagar from Oct 30 to Nov 8. Western Railway said passenger movement during the event showed the role of rail transport in supporting local fairs, cultural activities, handicrafts, handlooms and products made by rural women entrepreneurs.Vadnagar station, on the Mahesana–Varetha broad-gauge line, has been developed as a regional connectivity hub. The 55km Mahesana–Varetha gauge conversion was completed in 2021 at a cost of Rs 293.14 crore, while electrification cost Rs 74.66 crore. The total expenditure on the project was Rs 367.80 crore.The section has 10 stations. New station buildings have been constructed at Vadnagar, Visnagar, Kheralu and Varetha. The line connects Vadnagar, through Mahesana, with the Ahmedabad–Delhi broad-gauge network.At present, three pairs of trains operate from Vadnagar. These include the Varetha–Gandhinagar Capital MEMU, Vadnagar–Valsad Superfast Express and Vadnagar–Bandra Terminus Lokshakti Express.Western Railway said the station’s architecture has been designed to match Vadnagar’s historical and cultural character. The building has stone carvings, separate entry and exit points, and landscaping.The station has two 425m platforms, a foot overbridge, lifts, a waiting hall with a café, separate waiting areas for general and women passengers, restrooms and drinking water facilities. A 529.20sqm cover shed has been installed on platform number 1. Ramps, restrooms and other facilities have also been provided for passengers with disabilities.Railway officials said Vadnagar’s links with the Vadnagar–Modhera–Patan heritage circuit could help tourism in the region.Western Railway said work is also moving ahead on the Taranga Hill–Ambaji–Abu Road railway line, which is expected to improve connectivity to religious and tourist destinations in Gujarat and Rajasthan.The 117km project was approved in 2022-23 at an estimated cost of around Rs 3,000 crore. The final revised cost stands at around Rs 3,050 crore.The line is planned to connect Ambaji Shaktipeeth, the Jain pilgrimage site at Taranga Hill and Abu Road, speeding up travel to the Jain temples at Dilwara in Mount Abu. It will also provide an alternative route to the existing Ahmedabad–Abu Road line and support freight movement, Western Railway said.The project includes 15 stations, comprising eight crossing stations and seven halt stations. Since the alignment passes through hilly terrain, the work involves 11 tunnels, 54 major bridges, 151 minor bridges, eight road overbridges and 54 road underbridges or limited-height subways. The line will be electrified.Land acquisition for the project has been completed. Western Railway said tenders have been finalised, contracts awarded and construction work is progressing.Railway officials said the extension of connectivity from Vadnagar towards Ambaji and Abu Road is expected to support pilgrims, tourists, traders, farmers and local residents. It is also expected to create better access for local handicrafts, small industries, agricultural produce and rural enterprises.
