Live Heart Transported on Vande Bharat from Surat to Ahmedabad in First for Indian Railways
Raipur: In a first for Indian Railways, a live human heart was transported aboard the Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20901) from Surat to Ahmedabad on Friday, enabling a life-saving heart transplant at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre.
The operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts of Indian Railways, Gujarat State Police, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and medical teams, ensuring that the organ reached the recipient within the critical time window.
After the train arrived at Platform No. 1 of Ahmedabad Railway Station, personnel from the RPF and Gujarat State Police created a green corridor, allowing the heart to be transported to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre without traffic delays.
Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash described the operation as a landmark achievement for Indian Railways.
“This is a proud moment for Indian Railways. Every second is crucial in a life-saving mission, and effective coordination among railway staff, police and medical personnel made this operation successful. Serving humanity by saving a life remains our utmost responsibility,” he said.
According to railway officials, the speed and punctuality of the Vande Bharat Express played a crucial role in ensuring the organ reached the hospital in time for the transplant, highlighting the potential of India’s high-speed rail network in supporting emergency medical logistics.
