India will experience a momentous event on September 24, 2023, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off nine new Vande Bharat Express trains. A new age of rail connections between 11 Indian states would result from this. With unprecedented speed and ease, these high-speed trains will revolutionize how we travel.
The South Central Railways (SCR) will operate two trains, two in West Bengal and one each in Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other areas.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of railways for the Union, will also attend the ceremony.
These new express trains will provide passengers with quicker and more practical travel options as the festival season gets underway. The fastest train on this route will be the Vijayawada-MGR Chennai Central one.
What is the Vande Bharat Express?
Vande Bharat Express trains are high-speed Indian trains. Indian Railways operates these high-speed express trains. These trains can connect major Indian cities within a day’s journey. These trains are much like the Shatabdi Express.
Salient Features of Vande Bharat Express Trains
Speed Limits and Stops
These trains can go quite fast, up to 160 km/h (99 mph) on the Delhi-Bhopal route and 110–130 km/h (68-81 mph) on others. However, speed depends on track capacity, stops, and traffic.
Designed for Efficiency
Initially known as Train 18, these trains were designed by the RDSO and built by the Integral Coach Factory. They prioritize low-cost maintenance and operational efficiency.
Cost and Naming
A 16-coach Vande Bharat train costs about ₹115 crore (US$14 million). They were named Vande Bharat Express on January 27, 2019, with the first service starting on February 15, 2019.
States that will Benefit from New Vande Bharat Express Trains
The states benefiting from these Vande Bharat trains include Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gujarat, according to a press release from the PM office.
Nine New Vande Bharat Train and Route Details
Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Train
The Vande Bharat Express will boost connectivity between Udaipur and Jaipur, slashing travel time by about 30 minutes versus the current fastest train. It’s Rajasthan’s third Vande Bharat service, joining the ones between Jodhpur-Sabarmati and Ajmer-Delhi Cantt.
Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Train
The Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express creates a crucial connection between Tirunelveli and Madurai. It’ll shorten travel time by over two hours. It stops at Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tiruchirappalli before reaching Chennai.
Hyderabad-Bangalore Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express connects Kacheguda in Hyderabad to Yesvantpur in Bengaluru. The stops will be at crucial stations like Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, Anantapur, and Dharamvaram. It consists of one executive class coach and seven chair car coaches, offering seating for 530 passengers.
Vijayawada-Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Train
PM Modi launched the second Vande Bharat Express in Chennai, running through the Renigunta route. It will offer vital connectivity to the Tirupati Pilgrimage Center. This train operates between Vijayawada and Chennai. The stops will be at important stations, including Tenali, Ongole, Nellore, and Renigunta in Andhra Pradesh.
Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
This new Vande Bharat Express links Patna Junction in Bihar to Howrah in West Bengal. It’ll cover 532 km in about 6 hours and 35 minutes. It makes quick two-minute stops at key stations like Patna Saheb, Mokama, Luckeesarai Junction, Jasidih, Jamtara, Asansol, and Durgapur. Everyone will witness improved connectivity and travel choices for passengers in these areas.
Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Train
The Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express is Kerala’s second Vande Bharat train. This fast train will cut travel time by about three hours, covering a 573-kilometer distance in just 7 hours and 55 minutes.
Rourkela-Bhubaneswar-Puri Vande Bharat Express
Starting from Puri, Odisha, this train leaves at 5 am and arrives in Rourkela at 12:45 pm on the same day. On the return journey, it departs from Rourkela at 2 pm, reaching Puri by 9 pm. Stops along the way include Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur City, and Jharsuguda.
Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express runs six days a week, except on Tuesdays. This high-speed train provides the fastest connection between the capital cities of Jharkhand and West Bengal. It leaves Ranchi at 5:15 am, reaching Howrah by 12:20 pm. On the way back, it departs from Howrah at 3:45 pm and arrives in Ranchi by 10:50 pm on the same day.
Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
The Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express will travel 331 km in just 4 hours and 40 minutes, with five important station stops. It leaves Jamnagar at 5:30 am and is due to reach Ahmedabad at 10:10 am, passing through Rajkot, Wankaner, Surendranagar, Viramgam, and Sabarmati along the way.
Bottom Line
The launch of these nine Vande Bharat trains on September 24, 2023, marks a significant improvement in India’s rail connections. So, people in 11 states can now experience quicker and easier travel. This significant move will shape a bright future for India’s rail system. These high-speed trains will change how India travels, making cross-country journeys easier and faster.
