Vande Metro: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad for his first visit to Gujarat, where he is set to flag off India’s first Vande Metro service between Bhuj and Ahmedabad, along with other Vande Bharat trains, on Monday.

Just hours before the inauguration, the Railway Ministry announced the renaming of the Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, as reported by news agency PTI. The virtual flag-off ceremony will take place at 4:15 pm from Bhuj railway station.

Western Railways, in an update on X (formerly Twitter), described the Vande Metro service as a transformative step for intercity commuting in India. The service is expected to enhance commuter comfort and act as a catalyst for economic growth in the Kutch region by driving job creation and boosting local tourism.

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

Launch and Operational Details

The Ahmedabad to Bhuj Vande Metro service will commence on September 17, while the return service from Bhuj to Ahmedabad will start on September 18. The train from Ahmedabad will depart at 17:30 hours every day except Saturday, reaching Bhuj at 23:10 hours. Conversely, the Bhuj-Ahmedabad service will depart at 05:05 hours daily except Sunday, arriving in Ahmedabad at 10:50 hours.

Stations and Cost

The Vande Metro will halt at nine stations: Sabarmati, Chandlodiya, Viramgam, Dhrangadhra, Halvad, Samakhiali, Bhachau, Gandhidham, and Anjar. The total cost of the journey is Rs 455, as reported.

Features of the Vande Metro

The Vande Metro train consists of 12 air-conditioned coaches equipped with centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, modular interiors, continuous LED lighting, vacuum toilets, route map indicators, panoramic windows, CCTV, and phone charging facilities. Safety features include the KAVACH collision avoidance system, automatic smoke/fire detection, aerosol-based fire suppression, and emergency lighting.

Designed to cover the 360-kilometer journey in 5 hours and 45 minutes at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour, the train has a seating capacity of 1,150 passengers. For accessibility, the Vande Metro includes Divyangjan-friendly toilets, a fully sealed flexible gangway, and onboard meal services. Its rapid acceleration and deceleration, along with driving cabs at both ends, eliminate turnaround time, making it an efficient mode of travel between mid-distance cities.