PM Narendra Modi recently flagged off two new Vande Bharat Express trains in India during his visit to Mumbai. In a function held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, PM Modi flagged off semi-high speed train services between Mumbai – Sainagar Shirdi and Mumbai – Solapur. According to Indian Railways, the existing superfast train takes 7 hours 55 minutes while Vande Bharat will complete the same journey in 6 hours 30 minutes, thus saving 1 hour 30 minutes in travel time. It will also connect pilgrimage centres, textile hubs, tourist spots and education hub of Pune.
Vande Bharat Express has been a huge hit among passengers and is India’s fastest train with a top speed of 180 kmph, while the operating speed is limited to 130 kmph due to safety constraints. With the inauguration of the two routes, India now operates 10 Vande Bharat Express trains across India, all inaugurated by PM Modi himself. Here is the complete list of Vande Bharat routes in India.
Vande Bharat Train Route
Route 1: New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
Route 2: New Delhi – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (J&K) Vande Bharat Express
Route 3: Gandhinagar and Mumbai Vande Bharat Express
Route 4: New Delhi to Amb Andaura in Himachal Pradesh Vande Bharat Express
Route 5: Chennai-Mysore Vande Bharat Express
Route 6: Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express
Route 7: Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express
Route 8: Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express
Route 9: Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express
Route 10: Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express
Features of Vande Bharat Train
The Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is an electric multi-unit, semi-high-speed intercity train operated by the Indian Railways. It takes just 52 seconds to reach 100 kmph. A sleeper version of the Vande Bharat trains with a top speed of 220 kmph is also being developed by the Indian Railways. For enhanced operational safety, Vande Bharat 2.0 trains are equipped with Kavach (Train Collision Avoidance System).
It also comes with Wi-Fi connection on-demand feature. Each coach has a 32-inch screen as compared to 24-inch screen in the previous version, which provides information and infotainment to the passengers. Vande Bharat Express 2.0 is also environment friendly as the ACs are 1 per cent more energy efficient.