Just like the Vande Bharat Express revolutionized long-distance travel, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (Vande Metro) is here to redefine short-distance city-to-city connectivity—explore what it offers and how it compares.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, also known as Vande Metro, is India’s groundbreaking short-distance, semi-high-speed train system tailored for regional connectivity between cities situated around 100 to 250 km apart. This innovative train is part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and serves as a faster, smarter, and more efficient upgrade over traditional MEMU trains, offering metro-like comfort for inter-city commuters. The first 4-coach unit of this train was rolled out in April 2024 by the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and officially entered commercial service in September 2024.
Background and Announcement
The concept of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail was first introduced in April 2023 by then Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as a regional version of the Vande Bharat Express. The goal was to build a train system that could offer semi-high-speed, short-distance travel between important cities, metro suburbs, and satellite towns—dramatically reducing travel time and improving mobility in high-density corridors.
Trial Runs and Speed Performance
The trial phase began in July 2024, focusing on metropolitan regions and major urban clusters. A major trial run was successfully conducted on 3 August 2024, between Chennai’s Villivakkam railway station and Katpadi Junction. Another trial took place on 8 September 2024, between Ahmedabad and Bhuj, completing the 359 km route in just 5 hours—an impressive 1.5 hours faster than existing trains, hitting a top speed of 110 km/h.
Operational Services
Two routes have officially started operations so far:
- Ahmedabad–Bhuj (Western Railway):
- Launched: 16 September 2024
- Distance: 359 km
- Coaches: 12
- Travel Time: 5h 40m
- Max Speed: 110 km/h
- Avg Speed: 63 km/h
- Jaynagar–Patna (East Central Railway):
- Launched: 24 April 2025
- Distance: 266 km
- Coaches: 16
- Travel Time: 5h 30m
- Max Speed: 130 km/h
- Avg Speed: 48 km/h
Proposed Routes for Future Expansion
The Indian Railways has identified several key routes for expanding the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service:
- Mumbai Suburban Network
- Central Line: 180 km
- Harbour Line: 66 km
- Trans-Harbour Line: 38 km
- Port Line: 26.7 km
- Vasai Road–Roha: 100 km
- Western Line: 123.78 km
- Other Inter-City Routes
- Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur (72 km)
- Chennai–Tirupati (147 km)
- Agra–Mathura (54 km)
- Bhubaneswar–Balasore (206 km)
- Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam (205 km)
- Thrissur–Kozhikode (120 km)
- Delhi–Rewari (82 km)
- Durg–Nagpur (265 km)
Train Design and Coach Configuration
The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is a self-propelled train, meaning it doesn’t require a separate locomotive. This feature enables faster acceleration and braking—ideal for short distances with frequent stops. Designed to replace traditional MEMUs, it offers superior speed and comfort, with a maximum operational speed of 130 km/h.
12-Coach Formation
| Coach Number | Seating Capacity | Standing Capacity |
| 1 and 12 | 57 | 104 |
| 2 – 11 | 104 | 185 |
- Total Seating: 1,150 passengers
- Total Standing: 2,058 passengers
- Total Capacity: 3,208 passengers
Passenger Amenities and Onboard Experience
Namo Bharat offers modern, comfortable, and commuter-friendly features:
- Fully air-conditioned interiors
- Lightweight cushioned seating
- Mobile charging ports at every seat
- Sealed gangways for easy movement
- LCD display screens & automated route indicators
- Aluminium luggage racks
- Diffused lighting
- Automatic sliding doors
- Panoramic windows with roller blinds
Advanced Safety Features
Built for safety as well as speed, Namo Bharat trains are equipped with:
- KAVACH anti-collision technology
- CCTV surveillance in every coach
- Fire detection & suppression systems
- Emergency talk-back units
- Modular bio-vacuum toilets
Namo Bharat vs Vande Bharat Express: Key Differences
| Feature | Namo Bharat (Vande Metro) | Vande Bharat Express |
| Distance Covered | 100–250 km | 300–800+ km |
| Primary Use | Short-distance, regional travel | Medium-distance, inter-city travel |
| Train Type | Self-propelled | Self-propelled |
| Top Speed | Average (70-110 km/h) Top (110-130 km/h) | Average (80-130 km/h) Top (110-160 km/h) |
| Seating Layout | Mostly standing + seating (urban style) | Fully seated, premium comfort |
| Focus | High-frequency city-to-suburb service | Long-haul comfort with fewer stops |
| Coach Formation | 12–16 coaches (flexible) | 8–16–20 coaches (fixed) |
| Replacement For | MEMU, suburban trains | Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi |
Namo Bharat is designed for fast entry and exit, high frequency, and dense urban commuting—while Vande Bharat Express is focused on speed, luxury, and longer distances with limited halts.
Final Words: The Future of Urban Rail Travel
The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (Vande Metro) represents the future of regional mobility in India. It’s fast, comfortable, efficient, and designed with both daily commuters and city-to-city travelers in mind. With ongoing expansions and upcoming routes across India, this project is set to become a game-changer in short-distance public transport. Whether you’re a daily commuter, business traveler, or weekend explorer—Namo Bharat is the new standard in inter-city convenience.