Railways Approves Two New Daily MEMU Trains Between Sabarmati and Mahesana via Becharaji
The Ministry of Railways has approved two pairs of daily MEMU trains between Sabarmati and Mahesana via Becharaji, with halts at eight stations. The Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU (69249/69250) will be cancelled. The start date is yet to be announced.
Ahmedabad, October 29, 2026: Good news for daily rail passengers in North Gujarat. The Ministry of Railways has approved two new daily MEMU trains between Sabarmati and Mahesana. The new services will run via Becharaji and stop at eight stations on the way.
MEMU stands for Mainline Electric Multiple Unit. These are electric passenger trains built for short and medium routes. They are popular with students, office workers, traders and pilgrims because they are frequent and cheap.
What has the Railway Board approved?
According to a Railway Board communication issued in October 2026, two pairs of MEMU services have been approved. In simple terms, that means four new train runs every day: two from Sabarmati to Mahesana and two from Mahesana to Sabarmati.
At the same time, the ministry has approved the permanent cancellation of the existing Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU. That service runs as train number 69249/69250. In other words, the old short route to Katosan Road is being replaced by longer services that go all the way to Mahesana.
New Sabarmati–Mahesana MEMU train timings
The first pair carries train numbers 69127 and 69128. The second pair carries train numbers 69131 and 69132. Here is the full schedule as approved by the Railway Board.
| Train No. | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69127 | Sabarmati | 6:40 am | Mahesana | 9:45 am | 3 hr 05 min |
| 69132 | Mahesana | 7:05 am | Sabarmati | 10:20 am | 3 hr 15 min |
| 69128 | Mahesana | 4:40 pm | Sabarmati | 8:30 pm | 3 hr 50 min |
| 69131 | Sabarmati | 5:05 pm | Mahesana | 8:25 pm | 3 hr 20 min |
The timings work well for daily travel in both directions. For example, a passenger from Sabarmati can take train 69127 in the morning and return by train 69128 in the evening. Similarly, a passenger from Mahesana can leave by train 69132 at 7:05 am and come back by train 69131 the same evening.
Which stations will the MEMU trains stop at?
Both pairs of trains will have commercial halts at eight stations between Sabarmati and Mahesana:
- Chandkheda Road
- Kalol
- Kadi
- Bhoyani
- Katosan Road
- Becharaji
- Chanasma
- Ranuj
So, the route does not take the usual direct line. Instead, it goes via Kadi and Becharaji, and then reaches Mahesana through Chanasma and Ranuj. As a result, many smaller towns get a direct electric train link to both Ahmedabad and Mahesana.
Who benefits from the new trains?
The new services cover a busy belt of North Gujarat. Several groups of passengers stand to gain.
- Daily commuters: Chandkheda, Kalol and Kadi have a large number of people who travel to Ahmedabad for work and study.
- Industrial workers: Kalol, Kadi and the Becharaji area host many factories and units. Workers can now use a regular train instead of buses or shared vehicles.
- Pilgrims: Becharaji is home to the Bahuchar Mata temple, one of Gujarat's major shrines. Devotees from Ahmedabad will get a direct train to the temple town.
- Students: Students in towns such as Chanasma and Ranuj can reach colleges in Mahesana and Ahmedabad more easily.
- Traders and farmers: Small traders can move between local markets at a low fare.
Moreover, Katosan Road passengers will not lose their train. Although the old Katosan Road MEMU is being cancelled, both new pairs will still stop at Katosan Road. In fact, these passengers will gain a direct link onward to Becharaji and Mahesana.
Rakes and maintenance details
The Railway Board has also set out how the trains will be run. Vadodara MEMU Shed will handle the primary maintenance of both services.
The first pair, 69127/69128, will use the existing rake of the Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU. Since that train is being cancelled, its coaches will be shifted to the new route. The second pair, 69131/69132, will need one fresh eight-coach MEMU rake.
When will the new MEMU trains start?
The exact start date has not been announced yet. The Railway Board communication does not mention a specific date.
However, the ministry has asked Western Railway to begin the services at the earliest convenient date. It has also directed the zone to give wide publicity to the change. In addition, an inaugural run may be held as a special train, if needed.
Passengers should therefore watch for an official announcement from Western Railway. Once the date is fixed, timings and halts can also be checked on the NTES app, the Rail Madad helpline 139, or at station enquiry counters.
Why this matters for North Gujarat
Road traffic between Ahmedabad and North Gujarat has grown steadily. Buses are often crowded, and private travel is costly. A MEMU train offers a cheaper and more reliable option for short-distance travel.
Besides, electric trains are cleaner than diesel trains. They also speed up faster and slow down more smoothly, which suits routes with many stops. For towns like Bhoyani, Chanasma and Ranuj, two pairs of daily trains are a real boost to local connectivity.
Overall, the decision fills an important gap. It links the Sabarmati end of Ahmedabad with Mahesana through a route that serves industry, pilgrimage and daily commuting at the same time.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Approved by | Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) |
| Route | Sabarmati – Mahesana via Becharaji |
| New services | 2 pairs daily (69127/69128 and 69131/69132) |
| Halts | 8 stations |
| Train cancelled | Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU (69249/69250) |
| Maintenance | Vadodara MEMU Shed |
| Start date | Not yet announced |
Frequently asked questions
How many new MEMU trains will run between Sabarmati and Mahesana?
Two pairs of daily MEMU trains have been approved. That means four runs a day, two in each direction.
What are the train numbers of the new MEMU services?
The first pair is 69127/69128 and the second pair is 69131/69132.
What time does the morning MEMU leave Sabarmati?
Train 69127 leaves Sabarmati at 6:40 am and reaches Mahesana at 9:45 am.
Which stations will the new MEMU trains stop at?
They will stop at Chandkheda Road, Kalol, Kadi, Bhoyani, Katosan Road, Becharaji, Chanasma and Ranuj.
Is the Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU being cancelled?
Yes. The existing Sabarmati–Katosan Road MEMU (69249/69250) will be cancelled permanently. Its rake will be used for the new 69127/69128 service.
When will the new trains start running?
The start date has not been announced. Western Railway has been asked to start them at the earliest convenient date.
