In a significant development for India’s railway infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially inaugurated nine new Vande Bharat Express trains. This exciting expansion promises to revolutionize rail travel, connecting eleven states across the nation. These modern trains are set to offer faster and more efficient services, ensuring passengers save valuable time on their journeys. Let’s delve into the details of these new additions to India’s railway network.
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Boosting Connectivity Across Eleven States
The newly launched Vande Bharat Express trains will enhance connectivity across the following eleven states:
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Kerala
- Odisha
- Jharkhand
- Gujarat
Vande Bharat Express: A Glimpse of Excellence
The Vande Bharat Express is a semi high-speed train capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 kmph. These trains are equipped with all air-conditioned chair cars, offering passengers a comfortable and luxurious travel experience. Notably, all nine of the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express trains consist of 8 coaches each.
Introducing the First Orange Vande Bharat Express
Among the remarkable launches is the introduction of the first Orange Vande Bharat Express, which will operate on the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram route, promising passengers a unique and vibrant travel experience.
Routes, Timings, and Stoppages
Let’s take a closer look at the details of the newly introduced Vande Bharat Express trains:
1. Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20665/20666):
Departure from Tirunelveli at 6:00 AM, arriving at Chennai Egmore at 1:50 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Chennai at 2:50 PM, arriving at Tirunelveli at 10:40 PM.
Stops at Virudunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Villupuram, and Tambaram.
Operates daily, except Tuesdays.
2. MGR Chennai-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20677/20678):
Departure from Chennai at 5:30 AM, arriving at Vijayawada at 12:10 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Vijayawada at 3:20 PM, arriving at MGR Chennai at 10:00 PM.
Stops at Renigunta, Nellore, Ongole, and Tenali.
Operates daily, except Tuesdays.
3. Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 22348/22347):
Departure from Patna at 8:00 AM, arriving at Howrah at 2:35 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Howrah at 3:50 PM, arriving at Patna at 10:40 PM.
Stops at Patna Saheb, Mokama, Luckeesarai, Jasidih, Jamtara, Asansol, and Durgapur.
Operates daily, except Wednesdays.
4. Secunderabad (Kacheguda)-Bengaluru (Yesvantpur) Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20703/20704):
Departure from Secunderabad (Kacheguda) at 5:30 AM, arriving at Bengaluru (Yesvantpur) at 2:00 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Bengaluru (Yesvantpur) at 2:45 PM, arriving at Secunderabad (Kacheguda) at 11:15 PM.
Stops at Mahbubnagar, Kurnool City, Anantapur, and Dharmavaram.
Operates daily, except Wednesdays.
5. Rourkela-Puri Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20835/20836):
Departure from Puri at 5:00 AM, arriving at Rourkela at 12:40 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Rourkela at 2:10 PM, arriving at Puri at 9:40 PM.
The train makes halts at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Talcher Road, Angul, Rairakhol, Sambalpur City, and Jharsuguda stations.
6. Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20631/20632):
Departure from Kasaragod at 7:00 AM, arriving at Thiruvananthapuram at 3:05 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Thiruvananthapuram at 4:05 PM, arriving in Kasaragod at 11:55 PM.
Stops at Kannur, Kozhikhode, Shoranur, Tirur, Thrisur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam.
Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express operates daily, except Tuesdays, while the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express runs daily, except Mondays.
7. Udaipur City-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20979/20980):
Departure from Udaipur at 7:50 AM, arriving at Jaipur at 2:05 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Jaipur at 3:45 PM, arriving at Udaipur at 10:00 PM.
Stops at Ranapratapnagar, Mavli, Chittaurgarh, Bhilwara, and Kishangarh.
Operates daily, except Tuesdays.
8. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 22926/22925):
Departure from Jamnagar at 5:30 AM, arriving at Ahmedabad at 10:10 AM.
Return journey: Departure from Ahmedabad at 5:55 PM, arriving in Jamnagar at 10:35 PM.
Stops at Rajkot, Wankaner, Surendranagar, and Viramgam Sabarmati.
Jamnagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express operates daily, except Wednesdays, while the Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat Express runs daily, except Tuesdays.
9. Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (Train Number 20898/20897):
Departure from Ranchi at 5:15 AM, arriving at Howrah at 12:25 PM.
Return journey: Departure from Howrah at 3:45 PM, arriving in Ranchi at 10:50 PM.
Stops at Muri, Kotshila, Purulia, Chandil, Tata, and Kharagpur.
Operates daily, except Tuesdays.
These new Vande Bharat trains come with as many as 25 improvements, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable journey for passengers. Some of the enhancements include optimized cushion hardness, extended footrests, improved lighting in toilets, and more. With the addition of these nine new Vande Bharat Express trains, the Indian Railways network now boasts a total of 68 Vande Bharat train services, further solidifying India’s commitment to providing top-notch rail travel experiences for its citizens.
Conclusion
In a significant leap for India’s railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of 9 new Vande Bharat Express trains marks a transformative moment in the nation’s travel landscape. These high-speed connections promise enhanced connectivity across 11 states, ushering in a new era of efficient and comfortable rail travel for passengers.
