Amitha Reji George, Pune
Hours before the inauguration on Monday, September 16, 2024, the Railway Ministry announced the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro will now be known as the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. The Namo Bharat Rapil Rail will be running between Bhuj and Ahmedabad.
The Railway Ministry claims that the metro can accommodate 1,150 people on seats. In terms of accessibility, the Metro was planned with inclusion features including meal service, a fully sealed flexible gangway, and Divyangjan-friendly restrooms, among others.
According to the Western Railways, the Vande Metro train has 12 air-conditioned coaches with centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, phone charging facilities, continuous LED lighting, route map indicators, panoramic windows, CCTV, modular interiors, and CCTV.
The Ministry stressed the safety features of Vande Metro, stating that it has emergency lighting, automated smoke and fire detection, aerosol-based fire suppression, and KAVACH for collision avoidance. The Namo Bharat Rail’s features allow it to cover 360 kilometers at 110 kilometers per hour in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
The trains will stop at nine stations and the whole journey would cost Rs 455. The Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro will depart Ahmedabad at 17:30 on all days other than Saturday and reach Bhuj at 23:10 on the same day, according to Western Railways. Every day other than Sunday, the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro will leave Bhuj at 05:05 and arrive in Ahmedabad at 10:50 on the same day.
According to the Ministry, Vande Metro lessens crowding in individual coaches and enables seamless end-to-end passenger movement. Traveling is made more easier by the semi-permanent couplers, which are comparable to those on Vande Bharat trains, according to the Ministry.
“The train provides faster travel times between mid-distance cities,” it added. Driving taxis at both ends reduces turnaround time, and its quick acceleration and deceleration add to its efficient travel.”
It has automated sliding doors and engines at both ends, which sets it apart from the Vande Bharat Express, despite the fact that many people think it looks similar to that train. Additionally, it will be unreserved, enabling travelers to buy tickets right before the trip departs.