Ahmedabad, Jul 1: In a first for Indian Railways, a Vande Bharat Express was used to transport a live human heart for a life-saving transplant, marking a major milestone in emergency medical logistics.

The donor heart was transported aboard Train No. 20901 Vande Bharat Express, departing Surat at 9:18 a.m. and reaching Ahmedabad at 12:55 p.m. The organ was then rushed to the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre, where it was used for a critical heart transplant.

To ensure the heart reached its destination without delay, authorities created a green corridor from Platform No. 1, allowing seamless movement from the railway station to the hospital. The operation was made possible through close coordination between the Indian Railways, Gujarat Police, and medical teams.

The use of the Vande Bharat Express proved crucial at a time when air travel was disrupted, highlighting the train's speed, reliability, and efficiency in handling time-sensitive medical emergencies.

Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash described the operation as a proud achievement for Indian Railways, saying it demonstrated how modern rail infrastructure can play a vital role in saving lives beyond passenger transportation.

The successful mission has opened new possibilities for using India's high-speed rail network in the rapid transportation of organs for transplant, strengthening the country's emergency healthcare response.