In India, Vande Bharat Express has triggered a great deal of disruption lately. Since its inception, the Indian Railways has enchanted people with its stunning appearance, unique features, and seamless travel experience. While you set out on an incredible journey that is exclusively “Made in India,” Vande Bharat, a mesmerizing train that operates publicly on several routes, serves as an identity of the country. On 3rd October 2019, Vande Bharat was flagged off from Delhi to Katra under the supervision of Home Minister Amit Shah.
Table of Contents:
- History of Vande Bharat Express
- 10 Fantastic Facts about Vande Bharat Express
- Major Technical Facets of Vande Bharat Express
- Different Routes of Vande Bharat Express
History of Vande Bharat Express
The Indian Railways have always intended to maximize their speed meter since the beginning of the Gatimaan Express in 2016. You will be awed to know that this express is the fastest train in India. Following the policies, it was stated in 2017 that ICF would build two train sets.
The Indian company Integral Coach Factory, or ICF, manufactures rail coaches. ICF was founded in 1955 and is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Since the Indian Railways and government aim to execute this project by 2018, the train sets symbolize Train 18.
Additionally, in October 2018, the train sets were put into inspection following the goal. The honorable prime minister of India, Shri Narender Modi, formally unveiled Vande Bharat as Train 18 in 2019 after four years of planning, construction, and certification. This replaced the Shatabdi Express System, which had been in service for 30 years.
10 Fantastic Facts About Vande Bharat Express
AC Coaches and Fully automatic doors
This train has 16 entirely air-conditioned car seats with two different seating arrangements, including executive and economy class. Two of the most subtle features is that the chairs of the executive class have revolving chairs, which can be turned 180 degrees, and this train boasts of automatic doors with sliding footsteps.
Bio-Vacuum Toilets
Bio-vacuum toilets have been established to resolve sanitation issues on the Indian Railways for people’s ease of use. Similar to flights, it offers zero discharge. Moreover, you will also get the amenity of touch-free bathroom fittings, which lets users experience sanitation without any hassles.
Train Cost is Half of the Import’s Cost
The manufacturing cost of Vande Bharat Express is approximately half the cost of an identical imported train set. On average, each coach is expected to cost about Rs. 6 crore. According to reports, the total expense of each coach could exceed Rs. 5 crore once mass manufacture of the trail begins.
Onboard Wi-Fi
This wonder train of India provides Wi-Fi onboard for passenger entertainment. And alongside the Wi-Fi Vande Bharat possesses an onboard infotainment system connected to it. You can use free Wi-Fi onboard service for your smartphone, laptop, and tablet.
The Train is Eco-Friendly
As Vande Bharat Express focuses on sustainability, it’s designed to be eco-friendly. The train features regenerative braking systems that efficiently transform kinetic energy into electric power. It’s an advanced technology that mitigates overall energy consumption. Hence, this eco-friendly endeavor aligns with global fads to develop more sustainable transportation options.
Smart Security in the Train
The train has 16 coaches fitted with CCTV cameras for optimum safety of the onboard passengers. Its automatic doors will open when the train arrives at a complete halt and likewise, it will start only when the door is fully closed.
GPS-based Information System
Another contemporary and cutting-edge feature of Vande Bharat Express is its GPS-based information system. It’s a feature that can be found in metro trains. This GPS-based information system notifies passengers about the upcoming stations and other vital information.
Food Facility inside the Train
This semi-high-speed train serves the best food. Passengers have the option of including food in their travel experience during ticket booking. Breakfast and lunch will be provided if you travel from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Station and similarly, dinner and evening refreshments will be served on the train throughout your journey from NJP to Howrah.
Train’s Engine
Vande Bharat Express has no engine, implying it’s India’s first engineless train. Indian trains have an isolated engine coach, while this one has a merged engine similar to a metro or bullet train. Moreover, Indian Railways presented a self-driven train for inter-city travel, and due to the incorporation of cutting-edge technology that provides faster acceleration and deceleration, the journey time has been dramatically reduced. This wonder train of India can cover the journey from New Delhi to Varanasi in mere eight hours compared to the Shatabdi Express, which takes 12–13 hours.
Spaces for the Disabled are offered in the Train
Vande Bharat has some specialized coaches to park wheelchairs so that disabled persons will not have to deal with hardship during their travel.
Major Technical Facets of Vande Bharat Express
- It is an aerodynamic model combatting air resistance at maximum speeds.
- It has a seating ability of 1128 passengers at a time.
- The commercial speed of the train is 160 km/hr., and the recent operational speed is 130 km/hr. However, the testing speed exceeded 180 km/hr.
- It’s designed with airline seating arrangement, offering executive and comfortable interiors
- Vande Bharat Express uses a 25 KV 50 Hz AC overhead line as a high-speed rail.
- The first unit price of the express was set to INR 100 crores in 2018.
- Vande Bharat has two classes: one is economy, and another is executive chair.
- Fundamental amenities include smoke alarms, catering, CCTVs, seat pockets, bottle holders, sensor-based water taps, and an odor control system.
- The express train currently operates on five lines.
- It takes 15% shorter time than its predecessor, Shatabdi.
- Following the New Delhi-Varanasi Route’s spectacular launch, the Vande Bharat Express was also launched for the New Delhi-Katra Route.
Different Routes of Vande Bharat Express
Train 18 was renamed Vande Bharat on 27th January 2019, and it went into commercial service on 15th February 2019. This train has been expanded to 18 distinct routes, whose details are the following:
- New Delhi to Varanasi – The train completes 762 km in this route in eight hours. Except for Thursday, it operates on all days of the week. The journey’s two significant halts of Vande Bharat are Kanpur Central and Prayagraj Allahabad Junction. It was inaugurated on 15th February 2019.
- New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – The train covers 655 km in eight hours and operates every day except Tuesday. It started its journey to Vaishno Devi on 3rd October 2019.
- Mumbai Central to Gandhinagar – Within six hours and 25 minutes, the train covers 522 km of distance. It operates every week except Sundays and has two halts during the journey. The train commenced on 30th September, 2022.
- New Delhi to Amb Andaura – Within 6 hours and 30 minutes, this Vande Bharat Express covers 412 km of journey on all days of the week, except Fridays. The train halts at four stations on this route. The journey began on 13th October 2022.
- MGR Chennai Central to Mysuru – This train takes approximately six hours and 30 minutes to cover the journey. The express operates daily except Wednesdays. The train stops at two stations during the trip. However, it began its journey on 11th November 2022.
- Bilaspur to Nagpur – Vande Bharat covers 412 km on this route within five hours and 30 minutes. Other than Saturdays, the train operates every day of the week. There are four stations along the way where the train stops. December 11, 2022, was the train’s official inauguration date.
- Howrah to NJP – Vande Bharat Express covers 565 km in 7 hours and 30 minutes and is active every day of the week except Wednesday. During the duration of the journey, the train stops at three stations. The train became operational on December 30, 2022.
- Visakhapatnam to Secunderabad – The train covers approximately 698 km in 8 hours and 30 minutes. Apart from Sundays, the train operates every day of the week. Throughout the trip, the train stops at six stations. On January 15, 2023, the train became fully operational.
- Mumbai CSMT to Solapur – The distance from Mumbai CSMT to Solapur is 452 km, completed in 6 hours and 30 minutes. During the trip, the train halts at four stations. It became operational on 10th February 2023.
- Mumbai CSMT to Sainagar Shirdi – The train covers 339 km within 5 hours and 20 minutes and runs every day except Tuesdays. Throughout the trip, the train stops at three stations. The train was formally inaugurated on 10th February 2023.
- Rani Kamalapati to Hazrat Nizamuddin – It takes 7 hours and 30 minutes and 702 km to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin from Rani Kamalapati with Vande Bharat Express. The train remains operational every day except Saturdays. It commenced its journey on 1st April 2023, stopping at four stations.
Despite these top 10 features that Vande Bharat Express provides its passengers with, it has several other amenities, including modular racks in every coach for the luggage, a pantry, sockets under the seats to keep your devices charged, and more. Happy traveling!
