Jodhpur Sabarmati Express: The Jodhpur Sabarmati Express (Train No. 20485/20486) would now be extended to Jaisalmer, according to an announcement by the Rajasthan Government.
Existing Route
Presently, the train number 20485 passes from Jodhpur, Bhagat ki Kothi, Luni Junction, Dundara, Samdari Junction, Mokalsar, Jalor, Modran, Marwar Bhinmal, Raniwara, Dhanera, Bhildi Junction, Patan, Mahesana Junction and Sabarmati BG (SBIB). Now, it would originate from Jaisalmer.
Jodhpur Sabarmati Express-How Will It Benefit The Regional Economy?
In a post on X, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The Jodhpur Sabarmati Express would help in drawing more than a million tourists every year to the majestic Sonar Quila (Jaisalmer Fort), camel safaris and starlit desert camps. Travellers from Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara could now board their train at Sabarmati, reducing travel time by several hours. This enhanced connectivity would supercharge tourism, hospitality, catering, entrepreneurship and much more in both states.
Jaislamer’s economy would benefit from more footfalls at folk performances, havelis and adventure activities. This could easily translate to millions of Rupees getting injected into eateries, hotels, guides and more.
Not only this, Rajasthan’s craftsmen who are known for producing blue pottery from Jaipur, leather goods from Jodhpur and world-renowned Bandhani textiles would get more customers and money for their skills, improving the state’s per capita income and prosperity levels.
Railway stations such as Patan and Mahesana, which are already artisan hotspots, would easily become natural exchange points. Presently, merchants leverage the Jodhpur Sabarmati Express for ferrying textiles, spices and even marbles. An extension to Jaisalmer could facilitate the transportation of many high-value desert goods. Perishable goods like fresh dates from Jaisalmer or Gujarat’s mangoes could reach markets fresher, minimizing spoilage losses.
Beyond tourists, craftsmen and merchants, the extension to Jaisalmer would spur indirect and direct jobs in rail operations, station upgrades and tourism infrastructure. Environmentally, it would cut road traffic, reducing carbon emissions by thousands of tons every year.
