Ajmer–Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express

The 20977/20978 Ajmer - Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express is India's 14th Vande Bharat Express train, connecting the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi and Chandigarh. This express train is an extension of the former Vande Bharat Express train which ran from Ajmer Junction till Delhi Cantonment.

Overview
This train is operated by Indian Railways, connecting Ajmer Jn, Jaipur Jn, Gandhinagar Jaipur railway station, Alwar Jn, Rewari Jn, Gurgaon, Delhi Cantonment, Ambala Cantonment Jn and Chandigarh Jn. It is currently operated with train numbers 20977/20978 on 6 days a week basis.

Rakes
It is the twelfth 2nd Generation Vande Bharat Express train and was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) under the leadership of Sudhanshu Mani at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India initiative.

The Ajmer-Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express will be the world's first semi high-speed passenger train on high rise overhead electric (OHE) territory.

Service
The 20977/20978 Ajmer - Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express operates 6 days a week, covering a distance of 678 km in a travel time of 08 hrs 25 mins with an average speed of 81 km/h. The Maximum Permissible Speed is 130 km/h.

The train service has been extended upto Chandigarh on 12 March 2024 due to low occupancy of 48%.