Rajkot skipped in Vande Bharat train route: Strong protest to Railway Minister against decision seen as an insult to the metro city

Rajkot: Massive outrage is being witnessed as Rajkot—often considered the economic capital of Saurashtra—and Surendranagar have been excluded from the route of the proposed Ahmedabad-Somnath Vande Bharat Express train by Western Railway. The Human Rights Federation has registered a strong protest against this decision, terming it an open injustice to the people of Rajkot.

Direct Representation to the PMO and Railway Minister

Regarding this unjust decision, Mahendra Ailani, President of the Human Rights Federation, has submitted a written representation to the Honorable Railway Minister of the Government of India via official email (minister-rail@gov.in). Additionally, a copy of this representation has been forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking appropriate intervention in this serious matter.

President Mahendra Ailani stated in clear terms:

"Depriving a smart and metro city like Rajkot of a modern facility like Vande Bharat is a direct insult to the people of Rajkot. In the public interest, we demand that Rajkot be given the benefit of this facility at the earliest."

Fact Check: What Will Be the Impact on the Citizens of Rajkot?

Rajkot is the largest railway junction in Saurashtra. If the Vande Bharat train does not pass through here, citizens will suffer direct losses:

• Deprived of Faster Travel: Thousands of passengers commute daily from Rajkot to Ahmedabad (for business) and Somnath (for pilgrimage). Without the Vande Bharat, they will be unable to save time, resulting in increased travel fatigue.

• Blow to Trade & Industry: Rajkot is a major hub for engineering and auto parts. A lack of fast connectivity will cause significant inconveniences during business tours for traders coming from Ahmedabad and other cities.

• Hardships for Pilgrims: Elderly citizens and devotees traveling to visit Somnath Mahadev will be forced to rely on private buses or slower trains instead of enjoying a luxurious and safe train service.

• Injustice to Development: In a city where state-of-the-art facilities like an International Airport and AIIMS are operational, the absence of a stoppage for a premium train like the Vande Bharat contradicts the city's overall infrastructural development.

There is a strong demand that the railway authorities reconsider this decision before the issue raised by the Human Rights Federation turns into a mass public movement.