Rajasthan's Premium Rail Network Suffers Setback as Vande Bharat Services Discontinued
In a significant development for Rajasthan's transportation infrastructure, the North Western Railway (NWR) has officially discontinued two premium Vande Bharat Express services operating on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Udaipur sectors. This decision, which takes effect this weekend, comes as a direct response to consistently poor passenger turnout and concerns over comparatively higher ticket prices that made the services less attractive to regular travelers.
Official Confirmation and Implementation Timeline
Railway authorities have confirmed the withdrawal schedule for both services. The Udaipur–Jaipur Vande Bharat Express ceased operations starting Saturday, while the Udaipur–Agra Cantt service will stop running from Sunday onward. This strategic move allows the railway administration to reallocate these premium train sets to alternative routes where stronger passenger demand exists.
Factors Behind the Discontinuation Decision
Senior NWR officials have openly acknowledged that multiple factors contributed to this decision. Despite being positioned as semi-high-speed premium trains equipped with modern amenities and onboard catering services, both Vande Bharat Express routes consistently reported low occupancy rates, with numerous seats remaining vacant on most operational days.
Pricing emerged as a particularly critical issue. A comparative analysis reveals that a chair car ticket on the Jaipur–Udaipur Vande Bharat route was priced around Rs 1,100, while executive class seats commanded nearly Rs 1,800. In stark contrast, sleeper class fares for the same route on standard trains stood at approximately Rs 400, with chair car tickets costing roughly Rs 800. This substantial price differential made the premium Vande Bharat option considerably less appealing for regular commuters and travelers.
Official Statement and Future Plans
Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer of NWR, provided official commentary on the situation. "Yes, there was less passenger load on both these trains; we are exploring other routes where demand is stronger," he stated. Sudarshan further revealed that the railway administration plans to introduce a new Vande Bharat service between Udaipur and Asarva in Gujarat, scheduled to commence operations from February 16.
Tourism Industry Concerns and Reactions
The discontinuation decision has generated considerable concern among tour operators, particularly those specializing in the popular Golden Triangle circuit encompassing Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi. With only a single Vande Bharat Express now operational between Jaipur and Delhi, travel industry professionals fear this reduction in premium rail connectivity could negatively impact high-end tourist movement throughout the region.
Jaipur-based tour operator Sanjay Kaushik expressed his reservations about the timing of this decision. "They should have waited before discontinuing these trains," he remarked, highlighting the potential consequences for tourism-dependent businesses and luxury travel arrangements in Rajasthan.
Broader Implications and Strategic Reallocation
This development represents more than just a route cancellation—it signals a strategic shift in how premium rail services are deployed across India's railway network. The North Western Railway's decision to withdraw these services from underperforming routes and redeploy them to more profitable corridors with demonstrated stronger demand reflects a data-driven approach to resource allocation within the national rail system.
The situation underscores the delicate balance railway authorities must maintain between offering premium, modern transportation options and ensuring these services remain financially viable and adequately utilized. As India continues to expand its Vande Bharat Express network, this case study from Rajasthan provides valuable insights into passenger behavior, pricing sensitivity, and route selection criteria for future premium train deployments.
