Restart Ankleshwar-Rajpipla Train for Better Connectivity in Gujarat
Restart Ankleshwar-Rajpipla Train for Better Connectivity in Gujarat
The Issue
The Problem:
Since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the vital Ankleshwar-Rajpipla railway line in Gujarat has been running limited services only. Regular passenger trains like 59167/59168 have not resumed full operations, leaving daily commuters, farmers, and tourists in severe hardship. Currently, only unreserved special trains (061WR/062WR) run daily – departing Ankleshwar at 5 PM and Rajpipla at 6 AM – but these are insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Why This Matters:
This 50+ km railway line connects two important towns in Bharuch district, serving over 1,000 daily passengers including students, workers, and families. Farmers rely on it to transport crops to markets, while tourists visiting the iconic Statue of Unity face connectivity issues without reliable train services. The absence of regular trains forces people to use expensive and time-consuming buses, widening the gap between urban and rural Gujarat.
A Brief History:
The line was originally closed in the late 1970s due to severe flooding that damaged the Karjan River bridge. It was revived through broad gauge conversion between 2008-2014, bringing back passenger services and boosting local economy. However, the pandemic disrupted this progress, and despite infrastructure readiness, full restoration has been delayed citing "low traffic." The demand is now surging with tourism growth and economic recovery – it's time to act!
Our Specific Demands:
Immediate Restoration: Resume regular operations of trains 59167 (Ankleshwar-Rajpipla) and 59168 (Rajpipla-Ankleshwar) on their original timetable.
Additional Services: Introduce 1-2 extra daily trains during peak hours (morning and evening) to accommodate commuters.
Digital Accessibility: Enable online booking through IRCTC for reserved seats, making travel easier for all, especially families and tourists.
Infrastructure Support: Ensure regular maintenance of the line to prevent future disruptions.
The Impact:
Without these trains, local communities suffer immensely:
Students & Workers: Miss classes and jobs due to unreliable transport.
Farmers: Face losses transporting perishable goods to markets.
Tourism: Statue of Unity, a global attraction, loses visitors who can't reach easily.
Economy: Small businesses and villages remain disconnected from growth opportunities.
Restoring this lifeline will not only save time and money but also promote sustainable travel, reduce road congestion, and support Gujarat's vision of Viksit Bharat.
Join the Movement:
Sign this petition to show Indian Railways that the people of Gujarat demand better connectivity! Share with friends, family, and local groups. Let's reach 5,000 signatures and tag @RailMinIndia @WesternRly @AshwiniVaishnaw to make our voices heard.
Together, we can restart this crucial rail service and connect communities!
#RestartAnkleshwarRajpiplaTrain #GujaratRailConnect #RailForAll
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳🚂
10
The Issue
The Problem:
Since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the vital Ankleshwar-Rajpipla railway line in Gujarat has been running limited services only. Regular passenger trains like 59167/59168 have not resumed full operations, leaving daily commuters, farmers, and tourists in severe hardship. Currently, only unreserved special trains (061WR/062WR) run daily – departing Ankleshwar at 5 PM and Rajpipla at 6 AM – but these are insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Why This Matters:
This 50+ km railway line connects two important towns in Bharuch district, serving over 1,000 daily passengers including students, workers, and families. Farmers rely on it to transport crops to markets, while tourists visiting the iconic Statue of Unity face connectivity issues without reliable train services. The absence of regular trains forces people to use expensive and time-consuming buses, widening the gap between urban and rural Gujarat.
A Brief History:
The line was originally closed in the late 1970s due to severe flooding that damaged the Karjan River bridge. It was revived through broad gauge conversion between 2008-2014, bringing back passenger services and boosting local economy. However, the pandemic disrupted this progress, and despite infrastructure readiness, full restoration has been delayed citing "low traffic." The demand is now surging with tourism growth and economic recovery – it's time to act!
Our Specific Demands:
Immediate Restoration: Resume regular operations of trains 59167 (Ankleshwar-Rajpipla) and 59168 (Rajpipla-Ankleshwar) on their original timetable.
Additional Services: Introduce 1-2 extra daily trains during peak hours (morning and evening) to accommodate commuters.
Digital Accessibility: Enable online booking through IRCTC for reserved seats, making travel easier for all, especially families and tourists.
Infrastructure Support: Ensure regular maintenance of the line to prevent future disruptions.
The Impact:
Without these trains, local communities suffer immensely:
Students & Workers: Miss classes and jobs due to unreliable transport.
Farmers: Face losses transporting perishable goods to markets.
Tourism: Statue of Unity, a global attraction, loses visitors who can't reach easily.
Economy: Small businesses and villages remain disconnected from growth opportunities.
Restoring this lifeline will not only save time and money but also promote sustainable travel, reduce road congestion, and support Gujarat's vision of Viksit Bharat.
Join the Movement:
Sign this petition to show Indian Railways that the people of Gujarat demand better connectivity! Share with friends, family, and local groups. Let's reach 5,000 signatures and tag @RailMinIndia @WesternRly @AshwiniVaishnaw to make our voices heard.
Together, we can restart this crucial rail service and connect communities!
#RestartAnkleshwarRajpiplaTrain #GujaratRailConnect #RailForAll
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳🚂
10
Petition created on 20 September 2025