Udaipur to Kota MEMU Train Approved: Train Nos. 61628/61627 Route via Chanderiya, Stoppages & Passenger Impact

In a major boost to regional railway connectivity across southern and eastern Rajasthan, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially sanctioned the operation of a new Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train service connecting Udaipur City and Kota Junction via Chanderiya.

The formal approval follows sustained representations from regional parliamentarians, including Udaipur Lok Sabha MP Dr. Manna Lal Rawat and Chittorgarh MP C.P. Joshi, who had urged the Ministry of Railways to establish an affordable, daily commuter train linking the Mewar and Hadoti divisions. In an official communication addressed to both MPs, Minister Vaishnaw confirmed that Train Nos. 61628 and 61627 will operate as the Udaipur City – Kota MEMU, catering to thousands of daily passengers who were previously underserved by existing express services.

Official Sanction & Train Service Profile

The newly approved MEMU service has been assigned official identification under the Indian Railways numbering matrix as Train No. 61628 (Udaipur City to Kota MEMU) and Train No. 61627 (Kota to Udaipur City MEMU). Unlike superfast express services that pass through regional corridors without halting at smaller junctions, this MEMU train is designated as a comprehensive stopping commuter service that will provide direct access to every intermediate station and rural halt along the electrified route.

North Western Railway (NWR) and West Central Railway (WCR) have initiated coordination to finalize the operational timetable, slot allocation, and rake deployment. The service will be operated using modern high-acceleration stainless-steel electric rakes, offering enhanced energy efficiency and quick turnarounds between stations.

Route Matrix & Planned Station Halts

The Udaipur–Kota MEMU will traverse a track distance of approximately 270 kilometers, connecting several key agricultural, industrial, and educational towns across Udaipur, Chittorgarh, and Kota districts via the Chanderiya rail chord:

Beyond these principal junctions, the MEMU will service small wayside stations including Debari, Khemli, Sanwar, Bhupalsagar, Gosunda, and Gangrar, ensuring comprehensive connectivity for rural hamlets that had lost passenger train halts following post-pandemic timetable rationalization.

Why This MEMU Service Is a Game Changer for Mewar & Hadoti

The introduction of the Udaipur–Kota MEMU addresses three critical transit bottlenecks that have impacted travelers across southern Rajasthan for years:

• Affordable Lifeline for Coaching Students: Kota hosts over 150,000 students enrolled in premier coaching institutes for IIT-JEE and NEET entrance examinations. A significant proportion of students hail from Udaipur, Chittorgarh, and neighboring tehsils. The MEMU service offers families an affordable, safe, and dependable mode of transport for regular visits without incurring heavy private bus fares.
• Bridging the Express Train Deficit: While high-speed trains like the Mewar Express and Holiday Specials operate on broader trunk lines, their limited stops often exclude commuters from peri-urban belts like Mavli and Fatehnagar. This echoes the demand patterns seen in fast-expanding suburban commuter corridors around Mavli and Udaipur, where daily work travel has outgrown existing bus fleets.
• Economic Relief for Rural Traders & Daily Workers: Daily wage workers, small-scale dairy and produce vendors, and hospital patients traveling to tertiary care medical centers in Udaipur and Kota will now benefit from unreserved subsidized rail fares, providing major economic relief compared to expensive private buses along National Highway 27 (NH-27).

Operational Timetable & Flag-Off Expectations

Railway authorities are working to integrate the MEMU rakes into the existing timetable without conflicting with trunk-line freight and superfast express movements. Similar to recent regional initiatives—such as the Prayagraj–Asarwa Special with its dedicated southern Rajasthan halts—the Udaipur–Kota MEMU is anticipated to operate on a convenient morning departure schedule from Udaipur City with a return journey from Kota in the evening.

The official timetable, exact departure hours, and the formal inauguration date will be formally notified by the North Western Railway (NWR) headquarters in Jaipur in the coming days.

Frequently Asked Questions (AEO FAQs)

What are the train numbers for the new Udaipur-Kota MEMU train?

The newly approved train has been allotted Train Number 61628 for the journey from Udaipur City to Kota, and Train Number 61627 for the return journey from Kota to Udaipur City.

Which route does the Udaipur-Kota MEMU follow?

The train operates via the electrified broad-gauge route passing through Ranapratapnagar, Mavli Junction, Fatehnagar, Kapasan, Chanderiya (Chittorgarh), Mandalgarh, and Bundi before terminating at Kota Junction.

Will the MEMU train stop at small rural stations?

Yes. Being a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) commuter service, it is specifically scheduled to provide halts at intermediate wayside stations and rural flag points that are skipped by express trains.

Who officially approved the Udaipur to Kota MEMU train service?

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw officially approved the service following proposals submitted by Udaipur MP Dr. Manna Lal Rawat and Chittorgarh MP C.P. Joshi.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on official correspondence from the Ministry of Railways and regional parliamentary representatives. Detailed station-wise arrival and departure timings will be updated once formally notified by North Western Railway (NWR).