Bhuj (Gujarat): The Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro was renamed to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail by the Railway Ministry hours before it was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
The maiden service was flagged off by PM Modi from the Bhuj railway station. He also hopped on to the train from Section 1 Metro Station to Gift City.
Inaugurated Phase-II of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and on the way to today’s programme with energetic youngsters. pic.twitter.com/59sGNf7kdd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2024
The Rapid Rail, which aims to enhance intercity connectivity, will cover 359 km distance from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in 5:45 hours. In between, the train will stop at nine stations -- Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, Samakhiali, Halvad, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Chandlodiya, and Sabarmati. For the public, the regular service will start on September 17 from Ahmedabad. The total journey will cost Rs 455.
"The ministry has decided to rename Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail," the Railway spokesperson said earlier on Monday. 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.
Bharat's first Vande Metro Train (94801/02) Ahmedabad-Bhuj is being introduced for the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand.#WRUpdates pic.twitter.com/lVmAqpikHe
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) September 15, 2024
Facilities on offer
Featuring 12 AC coaches with seating for 1,150 passengers, the Rapid Rail offers a host of innovative features. "With ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins and modular interiors, it definitely proves to be superior to other metros," the Railways said.
Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, said the indigenously developed coaches come 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.
"It has been given advanced and improved features that enable it to reach a speed of 110 KMPH," Abhishek said.
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. "The train offers faster journeys between mid-distance cities. Its rapid acceleration and deceleration contribute to efficient travel while driving cabs at both ends eliminates turnaround time," it added.
This mode of transport provides affordable, fast, safe and comfortable travel to cities and smaller towns commuters, thus providing an impetus to the balanced growth of the areas it covers.
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