Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on Monday (September 16). Earlier, a few hours ahead of the launch, the Indian Railways had renamed the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. PM Modi also flagged off several Vande Bharat trains, including on routes, Nagpur to Secunderabad, Kolhapur to Pune, Agra Cantt to Banaras, Durg to Visakhapatnam, Pune to Hubballi, and the first 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi today.
India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, also known as the Vande Metro, will operate between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. Covering a 360-kilometre distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes at a top speed of 110 km/h, it will make stops at nine stations. The train will depart Bhuj at 05:05 am and arrive in Ahmedabad Junction at 10:50 am.
Kolhapur-Pune Vande Bharat Express
Train No. 20673 Kolhapur-Pune Vande Bharat Express: Starting from September 19, 2024, this tri-weekly service will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. It will depart Kolhapur at 08:15 hrs and arrive in Pune at 13:30 hrs on the same day.
Train No. 20674 Pune-Kolhapur Vande Bharat Express: Starting from September 18, 2024, this tri-weekly service will run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will leave Pune at 14:15 hrs and reach Kolhapur at 19:40 hrs on the same day.
Halts: Miraj, Sangli, Kirloskarwadi, Karad, and Satara
Composition: 8 Vande Bharat Coaches
Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat Express
Train No. 20670 Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat Express: Starting September 19, 2024, this tri-weekly service will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. It will depart Pune at 14:15 hrs and arrive in Hubballi at 22:45 hrs the same day.
Train No. 20669 Hubballi-Pune Vande Bharat Express: Beginning September 18, 2024, this tri-weekly service will run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will leave Hubballi at 05:00 hrs and reach Pune at 13:30 hrs on the same day.
Halts: Satara, Sangli, Miraj, Belagavi, and Dharwad
Composition: 8 Vande Bharat Coaches
Nagpur-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express
Train No. 20101 Nagpur-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express: Starting September 19, 2024, this service will run six days a week (excluding Tuesdays). It will depart Nagpur at 05:00 hrs and arrive in Secunderabad at 12:15 hrs the same day.
Train No. 20102 Secunderabad-Nagpur Vande Bharat Express: Also starting September 19, 2024, this service will operate six days a week (excluding Tuesdays). It will leave Secunderabad at 13:00 hrs and reach Nagpur at 20:20 hrs the same day.
Halts: Sevagram, Chandrapur, Ballarshah, Ramagundam, and Kazipet
Composition: 20 Vande Bharat Coaches
New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
The 20-coach Vande Bharat Express, manufactured at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF), will connect New Delhi and Varanasi. This new train will replace one of the existing services between these cities. The ultra-modern train in orange and grey will set new standards for rail travel, catering to the needs of regular commuters, professionals, and students.