New Delhi: The highly anticipated Vande Metro train has been renamed to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail just hours before its inauguration on Monday. The Ministry of Railways announced the name change.
The country’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The train, which will enhance connectivity between Bhuj and Ahmedabad, is expected to cover 359 kilometers in 5.45 hours, according to the Ministry of Railways.
Regular service for the general public will begin on September 17 from Ahmedabad, with a total fare of ₹455 for the journey.
“The Ministry decided to rename Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail,” a news agency quoted the Ministry of Railways.
While other metros cover shorter distances, the Namo Bharat trains will connect smaller towns in and around Ahmedabad, the Ministry added. The rapid rail, which has 12 coaches capable of seating 1,150 passengers, offers several advanced features. “Ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins, and modular interiors make it superior to other metros,” said the Ministry.
According to the Ministry, a significant upgrade from traditional suburban trains is its modular design, which includes ejector-based vacuum evacuation toilets.
“The train offers fast travel between mid-sized cities. Its rapid acceleration and deceleration contribute to an efficient journey while eliminating the need to stop at both ends,” the Ministry added.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off six Vande Bharat trains bound for Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Initially, Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to flag off the trains from Tatanagar, but heavy rain and adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from taking off. Central Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar were present at the Tatanagar station for the ceremony.
The new trains will run on the following routes: Tata Nagar-Patna, Brahmapur-Tata Nagar, Rourkela-Howrah, Deoghar-Varanasi, Bhagalpur-Howrah, and Gaya-Howrah.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the trains will offer high-speed connectivity. The introduction of these Vande Bharat Express trains will benefit regular commuters, professionals, and students.
These trains will also serve as high-speed travel routes to religious sites such as Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar (Jharkhand), Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Kalighat, and Belur Math in Kolkata (West Bengal), thereby boosting religious tourism in the region.
The statement also highlights that the trains will provide significant incentives to the coal and mining industries in Dhanbad, the jute industry in Kolkata, and the iron and steel sectors in Durgapur, among others.
