Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Live Heart Races 250 km on Vande Bharat Express
A heart from a 36‑year‑old man in Surat was moved to a hospital in Ahmedabad on a fast train called the Vande Bharat Express.
The trip took about three and a half hours.
Doctors at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre received the heart and gave it to a patient who needed it.
Police, the Railway Protection Force, and the train crew worked together to keep the heart safe and on time.
The state’s chief minister said the effort was a great example of service and that every second matters in organ transplants.
A live heart was transported from Surat to Ahmedabad on the 20901 Mumbai Central‑Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express in 3 hours 37 minutes.
The heart was delivered to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre for transplantation.
The operation involved coordination between Indian Railways, Gujarat Police, the Railway Protection Force, and medical teams, with a green corridor established at Ahmedabad station.
The donor, 36‑year‑old Mithun Lakshman Swain from Odisha, had consented to donate after being declared brain‑dead at New Civil Hospital in Surat.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel praised the effort, calling it a unique example of service and highlighting the importance of every second in organ transplantation.
- Who
- Indian Railways, Gujarat Police, Railway Protection Force, medical teams, donor Mithun Lakshman Swain, recipient patient
- What
- Live heart transported from Surat to Ahmedabad for transplantation
- When
- Friday
- Where
- Surat to Ahmedabad via the 20901 Mumbai Central‑Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express
- Why
- To save a critically ill cardiac patient and demonstrate railways’ role in emergency medical transport
- Heart Transported
- Surat to Ahmedabad via 20901 Vande Bharat Express
- Transport Time
- 3 hours 37 minutes
- Recipient Hospital
- UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre
- Donor
- Mithun Lakshman Swain, 36, brain‑dead
- Transported By
- Indian Railways (20901 Vande Bharat Express)
