The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express is India’s 58th Vande Bharat train, connecting Howrah, a major metropolitan hub near Kolkata, West Bengal, with Rourkela, a prominent smart city in Odisha. This premier semi-high-speed train was flagged off on September 15, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
Train Timetables and Schedules
Station Name | Arrival | Departure | Halt Time | Distance |
Howrah Junction | Start | 06:00 AM | -- | 0 km |
Kharagpur Junction | 07:28 AM | 07:30 AM | 02 min | 116 km |
Tatanagar Junction | 09:10 AM | 09:15 AM | 05 min | 250 km |
Chakradharpur | 09:58 AM | 10:00 AM | 02 min | 313 km |
Rourkela Junction | 11:50 AM | End | -- | 413 km |
Table of Contents
General Overview
Essential details about the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, including its train type, number, series, generation, manufacturer, operator, inaugural run, and more are presented in the table below. This concise summary gives passengers a clear understanding of the train’s key specifications and background.
| Train Service | Vande Bharat Express (formerly known as Train18) |
| Train Type | Semi-High-Speed |
| Train Name | Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express |
| Train Number | 20871 |
| No. of Coaches | 8 |
| Train Series | Fifty-Eighth (58th) Vande Bharat Express Train |
| Train Generation | Fifty-Fifth 2nd Generation | Thirty-Ninth Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express Train |
| Train Version | Vande Bharat 2.0 or VB2 |
| Designed By | Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) |
| Manufactured By | Integral Coach Factory (ICF) |
| Operated By | Indian Railways |
| Current Operator Zone | South Eastern Railways (SER) |
| Inaugural Run | 15 September 2024 |
| Commercial Run | 18 September 2024 |
| Reverse Route | 20872 Rourkela-Howrah Vande Bharat Express Train |
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Platform Number and Stops
The table below outlines the key stops along the route of the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express. It includes important details such as halt stations, station names, station codes, and platform numbers, helping passengers easily navigate their journey.
| Halt/Stops | Station Name | Station Code | *Platform Number |
| Start | Howrah Junction | HWH | 18 |
| First | Kharagpur Junction | KGP | 1A |
| Second | Tatanagar Junction | TATA | 3 |
| Third | Chakradharpur | CKP | 1 |
| End | Rourkela Junction | ROU | 2 |
Note: *Platform numbers for the 20871 Vande Bharat Express may change. Please verify the platform information at the station before boarding.
Coach Position and Its Components
The table below provides a detailed overview of the coaches on the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express. It includes coach serial numbers, positions, colors, seating capacities, travel classes, and seating arrangements, helping passengers understand the layout of the train and choose their preferred travel experience.
| Coach Serial Number | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Coach Position |  C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | E1 | C6 | C7 |
| Coach Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color | Pink Color | Aqua Color | Aqua Color |
| Seating Capacity | 44 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 52 | 78 | 44 |
| Travel Class | CC | CC | CC | CC | CC | EC | CC | CC |
| Seating Arrangement | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 3×2 | 2×2 | 3×2 | 3X2 |
Train Routes and Frequency
The table below highlights the detailed train routes and frequency for the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express. It includes information on the train’s route from the source to the destination, along with its frequency and operating days, giving passengers a clear understanding of its travel schedule.
| Train Routes | Howrah Junction → Kharagpur Junction → Tatanagar Junction → Chakradharpur → Rourkela Junction |
| Frequency | Six days a week, excluding Tuesdays |
| Running Days | Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays |
Speed and Distance
The following table highlights the essential details of the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, covering its average speed, maximum permissible speed, total distance covered, and the overall time taken for the journey. This information will give passengers a clear understanding of the train’s performance and travel duration.
| Speed | Average: 71 km/h | Maximum: 130 km/h |
| Distance | 413 km |
| Travel Time | 5 hours 50 minutes |
Fares
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express offers two travel classes: AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC). The table below outlines the fare details for both classes from the origin to the intermediate and final destinations, helping passengers choose the option that best suits their needs and budget.
| Station (From/To) | CC Fare (₹) | EC Fare (₹) |
| Howrah Junction to Kharagpur Junction | 585 | 1055 |
| Howrah Junction to Tatanagar Junction | 810 | 1510 |
| Howrah Junction to Chakradharpur | 920 | 1730 |
| Howrah Junction to Rourkela Junction | 1075 | 2045 |
Note: Fares include all additional charges, such as catering fees and other related costs, applicable only for the general quota.
Connecting State and City
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express offers essential travel details in a clear and organized format. The table below provides information on the connecting states and cities, journey days, total number of stops, and the intermediate stations between the source and destination.
| Connecting State/UT | West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha |
| Connecting City | Howrah and Rourkela |
| Journey Days | Single Day |
| Intermediate Stations | 3 halts and 82 Intermediate Stations between Howrah Junction and Rourkela Junction |
Features and Facilities
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express is designed to offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience with its modern features. The table below provides insights into the train’s coach composition, service classes, seating arrangements, and total capacity. It also outlines amenities such as catering services, onboard entertainment, charging facilities, baggage handling, and sleeper class availability, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for passengers.
| No. of Coaches | 8 |
| Coach Class(es) | The Mini Vande Bharat Express is equipped with two types of coaches: AC Chair Car coaches, numbered from C1 to C7, and AC Executive Chair Car coaches designated as E1. |
| Coach Positions | The 8-coach position layout of the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express is as follows: C1 → C2 → C3 → C4 → C5 → E1 → C6 → C7. In the 8-coach Mini Vande Bharat Express, Coaches No. 1 to 5 (C1 to C5) are designated as Chair Car (CC). Coach No. 6 (E1) is reserved for Executive Class (EC), while Coaches No. 7 and 8 (C6 and C7) are also allocated as Chair Car (CC). |
| No of AC Chair Coach Classes | 7 |
| Seating Arrangement AC Chair Car | 3×2 |
| No of AC Executive Chair Car Coach Classes | 1 |
| Seating Arrangement AC Executive Chair Car | 2×2 |
| Total Passenger Seating Capacity | 530 |
| Seating Passengers Capacity by Coach No | In the seating arrangement, both C1 and C7 coaches are designed for 44 passengers each. Moving to C2 through C7 coaches, these compartments offer spacious seating for 78 passengers each. Additionally, E1 coach is tailored to accommodate a total of 52 passengers comfortably. |
| AC Chair Coaches Color | Aqua Color |
| AC Executive Chair Coaches Color | Pink Color |
| Pantry/Catering facilities | Yes (On Board Catering/E-Catering) |
| Observation Facilities | Large Windows in All Coaches |
| Entertainment Facilities | On-board WiFi, Infotainment System, Reading Light, Electric, Outlets, Bottle Holder, Seat Pockets, and Tray Table. |
| Charging Facilities | Yes |
| Sleeping | No |
| Seating Arrangement | Airline Style, Rotatable seats |
| Baggage Facilities | Overhead Racks |
| Sleeper Classes | No |
| Other Facilities | KAVACH, Additional Parking Brakes and Traction Motor System, Smoke Alarms, CCTV Cameras, Bio-Vacuum Toilets, Sensor-based Water Taps, Roller Blinds, Automatic Doors, and Odour Control System. |
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the train’s departure and arrival hours for the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express?
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express departs from Howrah at 06:00 AM and arrives at Rourkela at 11:50 AM.
What is the schedule for the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, and how often does it run?
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week (except Tuesdays). It follows a fixed schedule, covering the route between Howrah and Rourkela with designated halts.
Can you name the stations where the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express halts?
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express halts at Kharagpur Junction, Tatanagar Junction, and Chakradharpur
How long is the journey on the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, and what is the train’s speed and distance covered?
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express covers a distance of 413 km in 5 hours 50 minutes, with an average speed of 71 km/h and a maximum permissible speed of 130 km/h.
What stations does the 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express pass through?
The 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express passes through the following route: Howrah Junction → Kharagpur Junction → Tatanagar Junction → Chakradharpur → Rourkela Junction
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