All you need to know about Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, India's first Vande Metro

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 16) flagged off India’s first Vande Metro, renamed Namo Bharat Rapid Rail hours before its inaugural run, connecting Ahmedabad with Bhuj.

The service was flagged off from the Bhuj railway station at 4:15 pm virtually by PM Modi who was present in Ahmedabad. He also flagged off Vande Bharat trains which will operate on routes including Kolhapur-Pune, Pune-Hubballi, Nagpur-Secunderabad, Agra Cantt to Banaras, and Durg to Visakhapatnam. The first 20-coach Vande Bharat train will run between Varanasi and Delhi, as per a PMO release.

According to the Railway Ministry, while the other metros cover only short distances, Namo Bharat trains will connect the heart of Ahmedabad with its peripheral cities. “The ministry has decided to rename Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail,” the Railway spokesperson said.

“The train offers faster journey between mid-distance cities. Its rapid acceleration and deceleration contribute to efficient travel while driving cabs at both ends eliminates turnaround time,” said the ministry.

Here’s all you need to know about India’s first Vande Metro that has been renamed ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’.

1. The Rapid Rail, which aims to enhance intercity connectivity, will cover 359 km distance from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in 5:45 hours at a top speed of 110 kilometres per hour. In between, the train will stop at nine stations.

2. For the public, the regular service will start from Ahmedabad on September 17, which also happens to be Prime Minister Modi’s birthday. The total journey will cost Rs 455.

3. Featuring 12 coaches with seating for 1,150 passengers, the Rapid Rail offers a host of innovative features. The ministry said. “With ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins and modular interiors, it definitely proves to be superior to other metros.”

4. A significant upgrade, according to the ministry, from traditional suburban trains and metro coaches is its modular design that includes ejector-based vacuum evacuation toilets.

5. It will depart from Bhuj at 5.05 am and reach Ahmedabad Junction at 10.50 am.

6. It will operate six days a week and will halt at Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, Samakhiali, Halvad, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Chandlodiya, Sabarmati and Kalupur (Ahmedabad station).

7. The train will have 12 air-conditioned coaches with centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, modular interiors, continuous LED lighting, toilets with vacuum evacuation, route map indicators, panoramic windows, CCTV, phone charging facilities, and automatic smoke/fire detection with alarm system and aerosol-based fire extinguishing system.

8. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will boast of advanced safety systems like KAVACH for collision avoidance, fire detection, and aerosol-based fire suppression, along with emergency lights.

9. The ministry said that the the train is designed to connect cities within a 150 km radius, providing efficient and comfortable journeys of approximately 3 to 4 hours.

10. Weekly, fortnightly, and monthly season tickets would be offered to frequent travellers at a significant discount.