Vande Bharat Creates History by Carrying Live Donor Heart for India’s First Rail Organ Transport
Indian Railways Transports Live Donor Heart on Vande Bharat Express for First Time in India (Image Indian Railways)
By AMIT KUMAR
Indian Railways, RPF, Gujarat Police and medical teams coordinated a Green Corridor to transport a live donor heart from Surat to Ahmedabad for a life-saving transplant.
New Delhi, July 31, 2026 — Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in emergency healthcare by successfully transporting a live donor heart by train for the first time in the country, demonstrating the potential of its high-speed rail network to support life-saving medical missions.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Railways, the donor heart was transported from Surat to Ahmedabad aboard Train No. 20901 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express before being rushed to the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre for transplantation.
The operation required minute-by-minute coordination among Indian Railways, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Gujarat State Police and medical teams to ensure the organ reached the recipient hospital within the critical viability window.
A dedicated Green Corridor was created from Platform No. 1 of Ahmedabad Railway Station to the U.N. Mehta Institute, enabling uninterrupted movement of the donor heart and allowing doctors to begin the transplant procedure without delay.
“This is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction for Indian Railways,” said Ved Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager, Ahmedabad.
“The successful transportation of a live donor heart from Surat to Ahmedabad through Vande Bharat Express demonstrates our commitment to serving society beyond conventional passenger and freight transportation. In such life-saving missions, every minute is crucial. The excellent coordination among Indian Railways, RPF, Gujarat State Police and the medical teams ensured the success of this mission. Contributing towards saving a human life is not only our responsibility but also our highest duty towards service and humanity,” he said.
The Railways said the mission showcased the speed, punctuality and operational reliability of the Vande Bharat Express while highlighting the expanding role of India’s railway network in emergency medical transportation.
Officials said the success of the operation reinforces the capability of Vande Bharat trains to support time-sensitive healthcare services through high-speed connectivity and dependable operations.
Indian Railways also acknowledged the contribution of the Railway Protection Force, Gujarat State Police, doctors, organ transplant coordinators and railway officials whose coordinated efforts made the mission possible.
The landmark operation is expected to strengthen the case for integrating modern railway infrastructure into India’s emergency healthcare ecosystem, particularly for the rapid transportation of organs needed for life-saving transplants.
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