After the huge success of the Vande Bharat Express, India is now revolutionizing short-distance travel with the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail — a future-ready, semi-high-speed train network built for the next generation of regional commuters!
India’s regional rail connectivity is undergoing a massive transformation. While the Vande Bharat Express revolutionized medium and long-distance intercity travel, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, also known earlier as Vande Metro, is set to redefine short-distance rail journeys across India.
Launched under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, this semi-high-speed train system is being developed to cater to commuters traveling between cities within 50 to 250 km. With modern facilities, faster acceleration, and multiple proposed and operational routes, Namo Bharat is India’s answer to efficient, clean, and fast public transportation for regional hubs.
Let’s explore the full list of operational and proposed Namo Bharat Rapid Rail routes—a major leap toward the future of short-distance travel in India.
Upcoming Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Routes (Planned Services)!
Indian Railways has identified multiple high-potential corridors to deploy Namo Bharat trains in the coming years. These routes are strategically chosen to connect metro cities with satellite towns, pilgrimage sites, and industrial hubs.
1. Mumbai Suburban Rail Corridors (CR & WR Zone)
- Central Line – 180 km
- Harbour Line – 66 km
- Trans-Harbour Line – 38 km
- Port Line – 26.7 km
- Vasai Road–Roha Line – 100 km
- Western Line – 123.78 km
These proposed Namo Bharat corridors will significantly ease congestion in Mumbai’s dense suburban network by offering faster alternatives to traditional local trains.
2. Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur (NR Zone)
This 72 km corridor will connect three of Uttar Pradesh’s busiest cities, catering to students, professionals, and daily workers with faster, frequent regional services.
3. Chennai–Tirupati (SR Zone)
Covering 147 km, this route will connect Tamil Nadu’s capital with Andhra Pradesh’s popular pilgrimage center, reducing travel time and improving comfort for lakhs of annual visitors.
4. Agra–Mathura (NR Zone)
This short 54 km route between two major tourist hubs in Uttar Pradesh is designed to promote high-frequency regional tourism and religious travel.
5. Bhubaneswar–Balasore (ECoR Zone)
Spanning 206 km along Odisha’s coastal stretch, this route is key to boosting regional economic and commuter mobility.
6. Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam via Kottayam (SR Zone)
This 205 km line aims to connect Kerala’s state capital with its largest commercial center through one of the busiest intra-state corridors.
7. Thrissur–Kozhikode (SR Zone)
A 120 km intra-Kerala corridor that is vital for easing road congestion and offering faster rail connectivity along the Malabar region.
8. Delhi–Rewari (NR Zone)
At 82 km, this NCR route will benefit daily office commuters, providing a quicker and modern alternative to existing EMU/MEMU services.
9. Durg–Nagpur (SECR Zone)
The 265 km route will connect Chhattisgarh’s Durg with Maharashtra’s Nagpur, bridging industrial and educational centers with a faster travel option.
Operational Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Routes (Active Services)
As of now, two key Namo Bharat routes have already been inaugurated and are running successfully with high passenger response.
1. Ahmedabad–Bhuj (WR Zone)
- Coach: 12
- Distance: 359 km
- Travel Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Max Speed: 110 km/h
- Avg Speed: 63 km/h
- Inaugural Run: 16 September 2024
This was the first Namo Bharat service to go live. It drastically cut down the travel time between Gujarat’s commercial and cultural hotspots.
2. Jaynagar–Patna (ECR Zone)
- Coach: 16
- Distance: 266 km
- Travel Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Max Speed: 130 km/h
- Avg Speed: 48 km/h
- Inaugural Run: 24 April 2025
This route connects northern Bihar to its capital and caters to students, professionals, and government commuters with enhanced travel speed and comfort.
Final Thoughts: Namo Bharat vs. Vande Bharat – A Future-Driven Duo
While Vande Bharat Express is geared toward long intercity journeys with premium seating and fewer stops, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is designed for shorter routes, high frequency, and quick boarding. Both are self-propelled, fully air-conditioned, and loaded with modern amenities—together forming a two-pronged strategy to modernize India’s railway landscape.
As more routes become operational, Namo Bharat will transform daily travel for millions of Indians across regional corridors—bridging cities, shortening commutes, and reshaping mobility.