Exciting news for rail commuters! Indian Railways is gearing up to launch nine new Vande Bharat Express trains across the nation this week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate these state-of-the-art semi-high speed trains via video conferencing from New Delhi on September 24, 2023, marking a historic moment as the national railway system introduces such a significant number of trains simultaneously.
These cutting-edge trains have truly transformed the passenger rail travel experience. At present, the Vande Bharat Express reigns as the fastest train in the country, surpassing even the renowned Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express. To date, a total of 25 Vande Bharat Express trains are already in operation on various routes, and this expansion promises to enhance rail travel for countless passengers.
List of Vande Bharat Express to be launched:-
Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The upcoming semi-high-speed train between Patna and Howrah marks a significant addition as the second Vande Bharat Express for Bihar and the third for West Bengal. This high-speed service is set to cover a distance of 532 kilometers in just five hours and 30 minutes, departing from Patna at 8 am and reaching its destination by 14:30 hours. Currently, the fastest train connecting these two cities is the Janshatabdi Express, which takes a considerably longer 7 hours and 55 minutes to cover the same route. Operated by the East Central Railway (ECR) zone, this new Vande Bharat Express promises to significantly reduce travel time for passengers.
Vijayawada–Chennai Vande Bharat Express
The forthcoming Vande Bharat Express service connecting Vijayawada and Chennai is set to revolutionize rail travel by covering a distance of over 700 kilometers in under six hours. Currently, the fastest train connections between these two cities, namely the Humsafar Express and Coromandel Express, take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes and 6 hours and 45 minutes, respectively, to traverse the same distance. The introduction of the Vijayawada-Chennai Vande Bharat Express promises to significantly reduce travel time, providing passengers with a much faster and more efficient means of transportation.
Puri-Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express
The introduction of the Puri-Rourkela-Puri Vande Bharat Express marks the second semi-high-speed train in the state of Odisha, following the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express. This train will efficiently cover a distance of 525 kilometers in a travel time of seven hours and 45 minutes. Departing from Puri at 05:00 hours, it will reach Rourkela by 12:45 hours. On the return journey, this distinctive blue and white train will depart from Rourkela at 14:10 hours, concluding its journey in Puri at 21:40 hours. This new addition is set to offer enhanced connectivity and convenience for travelers in the region.
Hyderabad–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
The Hyderabad–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is set to establish an efficient rail connection between these two major capitals, enabling travelers to cover the distance in less than 10 hours. This development will particularly benefit a wide range of individuals, including businessmen, IT professionals, and students, by offering a quicker and more convenient mode of transportation. The improved connectivity provided by this high-speed train will undoubtedly enhance travel options and accessibility between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, contributing to the region’s economic and educational sectors.
Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The upcoming Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express represents a significant development as it becomes the fourth semi-high-speed train serving West Bengal and the first for the state of Jharkhand. This train service will be managed and maintained by the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone, aiming to cover a distance of 426 kilometers in under six hours. In comparison, the swiftest existing train connection between these two cities is the Shatabdi Express, which currently takes approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to traverse the same route. The introduction of the Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express promises to provide a faster and more efficient travel option for passengers in the region.
Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express
The upcoming Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express is all set to commence its commercial operations next week, bringing significant improvements in travel time between these cities. This high-speed train is expected to cover a distance of 653 kilometers in less than nine hours, marking a substantial reduction in journey duration. Currently, the quickest train connection between Tirunelveli and Chennai is the Tirukkural Express, which takes approximately 10 hours and 35 minutes to traverse the same route. The introduction of the Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express promises to provide passengers with a much faster and more efficient means of transportation between these key cities.
Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
The upcoming Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express is poised to bring about a substantial reduction in travel time, shaving off more than one hour from the journey. This high-speed train is set to cover a distance of over 330 kilometers in under five hours. In contrast, the current quickest train connection between these two cities is the Intercity Express, which takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes to cover the same route. The introduction of the Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express represents a significant improvement in rail connectivity, promising passengers a faster and more efficient travel experience.
Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
The Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express is set to become the third semi-high-speed train serving the state of Rajasthan, marking another step forward in modernizing rail travel in the region. It will also be the second new-age train equipped with a high-rise pantograph. This train service will be operated and maintained by the North Western Railway (NWR) zone, and it is expected to cover a distance of 430 kilometers in just six hours.
With this remarkable travel time, the Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express will claim the title of the fastest train on this route, surpassing the Kavi Guru Express and Udaipur-Jaipur Superfast Special, which currently take 6 hours and 55 minutes and 7 hours and 10 minutes, respectively, to cover the same distance. The introduction of this high-speed train promises to provide passengers with a significantly quicker and more efficient travel option between Udaipur and Jaipur.