Few hours before the much-awaited launch, Indian Railways on Monday (September 16) announced that the ‘Vande Metro’ service will be renamed the ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the country’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service in Gujarat today, just a day before his birthday. This new rail service will link Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district with Ahmedabad, covering the 360-kilometre distance in under six hours.
The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will operate at speeds up to 110 kilometres per hour and will stop at several key stations, including Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, Samakhiali, Halvad, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Chandlodiya, Sabarmati, and its final stop at Kalupur in Ahmedabad.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail schedule and timings
The service will run six days a week, with departures from Bhuj at 5:05 am, arriving in Ahmedabad at 10:50 am. The return journey will leave Ahmedabad at 5:30 pm and reach Bhuj by 11:20 pm. The train will be closed on Saturdays for Bhuj departures and on Sundays for Ahmedabad departures.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail capacity
The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has a capacity of 1,150 seated passengers and can accommodate an additional 2,058 standing passengers. It features cushioned seating, modern amenities, automatic sliding doors, and engines at both ends. Unlike the Vande Bharat Express, this service includes features typical of suburban metro systems.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail fare
The minimum fare is set at Rs 30, including GST, with a one-way ticket from Bhuj to Ahmedabad costing approximately Rs 430, excluding GST. For frequent travelers, the service will offer weekly, fortnightly, and monthly season tickets, providing savings of Rs 7, Rs 15, and Rs 20 per single journey, respectively.