In exciting news for South India’s railways’ transportation sector, a new semi-high-speed train, the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express, is about to begin operations. Passengers can expect faster and more comfortable travel options with the upcoming launch of this train, which will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tamil Nadu on April 8th, 2023 (Saturday).
In this article, we will look at all the details of the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express, including its key features, route, and potential benefits for the region. We will also explore other trains that have been inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in South India.
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Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express: A New Semi-High Speed Train for South India
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express is an indigenous-built train that will operate on the Chennai-Coimbatore route. The train will have 16 coaches and will be flagged off by PM Modi during his visit to Tamil Nadu. The blue and white train is expected to provide a faster and more comfortable travel experience for passengers. The train will be operated by the Southern Railway (SR) zone and will have chair car coaches. Currently, there are two super express trains and a Shatabdi Express that operate during the daytime on the Chennai-Coimbatore route.
What to Expect from the New Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express Train
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express will be a premium service on the route, along with the Shatabdi Express. The stoppages of the train are yet to be decided, but the train is expected to have fewer stops than the Shatabdi Express. The new Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express train is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Coimbatore by up to 45 to 50 minutes, and the overall journey time between the two cities is expected to be less than 7 hours.
Other trains operating on the Chennai-Coimbatore route take around 7.5 hours for the journey from Chennai to Coimbatore and 8 hours for the return journey. Meanwhile, the Shatabdi Express takes 7 hours to cover the same distance, with a permitted sectional speed of 110 kmph.
Other Rail Initiatives to be Launched by PM Modi
In addition to the inauguration of the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express, PM Modi will also inaugurate the Gauge Conversion of the Thiruthuraipoondi-Agasthiyarpatti section and flag off two pairs of DEMU trains. The Tambaram-Sengottai Tri-weekly train will also be inaugurated by him. The introduction of a new service to Sengottai will enable a direct link to Chennai on the Tenkasi – Ambasamudran – Tirunelveli (72 km) sector, 11 years after it was converted into a broad gauge line.
These initiatives are expected to provide huge relief to passengers who otherwise rely on omnibuses during weekends and festival seasons. Civil works to reinforce the tracks for the new services have been completed, and the lines are expected to be cleared for operation by the commissioner of railway safety from April and June respectively. Increasing the sectional speed to 130 kmph is expected to decrease the travel time of trains on the Chennai – Jolarpettai route by 10 to 15 minutes, resulting in an overall journey time of less than 7 hours between the two cities.
New Delhi-Ajmer via Jaipur: India’s Newest Vande Bharat Express Train Set to Launch Soon
India’s 11th Vande Bharat Express train is expected to start running between New Delhi and Ajmer via Jaipur in late March or early April 2023. However, if the train starts running before April 8th, it will be considered the 11th Vande Bharat Express. If it starts running after that date, it will be considered the 12th Vande Bharat Express. The new train will be operated by the North Western Railway (NWR) zone and will feature an onboard catering service. Additionally, the train will have a new design of Pantograph to accommodate the overhead electric lines along the New Delhi-Jaipur route.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the new pantograph design was necessary because the overhead electric lines are at a good height due to the movement of double container trains on the New Delhi-Jaipur rail route. This train will be the first to use this new pantograph design.
Currently, 10 blue and white color trains are running on different routes in India. The ultra-modern Semi High-Speed Train, which has a top speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 130 kmph, is gaining popularity among passengers. The Vande Bharat Express has reduced travel time by 25% to 45%, and in the coming years, it will replace the existing Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains.
For the latest news and updates on the Vande Bharat Express, we recommend visiting Financial Express.
Conclusion
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express is a highly anticipated semi-high-speed train that will provide a faster and more comfortable travel experience for passengers traveling between Chennai and Coimbatore. With the inauguration of this new train and the launch of other rail initiatives by PM Modi, the Southern Railway zone is set to provide a much-needed boost to the region’s rail infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide information about the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express?
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express is a train that will run on the Chennai-Coimbatore route in South India. It is a semi-high-speed train that has been made in India and is expected to offer passengers a quicker and more comfortable journey.
How many coaches does the train have?
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express has 16 coaches.
Who will flag off the train’s inauguration?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express during his visit to Tamil Nadu on April 8th, 2023.
What is the expected journey time between Chennai and Coimbatore on this train?
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Coimbatore by up to 45 to 50 minutes, and the overall journey time between the two cities is expected to be less than 7 hours.
How many stops will the train make?
The stoppages of the train are yet to be decided, but the train is expected to have fewer stops than the Shatabdi Express.
What are the other rail initiatives that PM Modi will launch beside the Vande Bharat Express?
PM Modi will inaugurate the Gauge Conversion of the Thiruthuraipoondi-Agasthiyarpatti section, flag off two pairs of DEMU trains, and also inaugurate the Tambaram-Sengottai Tri-weekly train.
What is the expected impact of these rail initiatives?
These rail initiatives are expected to provide huge relief to passengers who otherwise rely on omnibuses during weekends and festival seasons. Increasing the sectional speed to 130 kmph is expected to decrease the travel time of trains on the Chennai-Jolarpettai route by 10 to 15 minutes, resulting in an overall journey time of less than 7 hours between the two cities.
