Get ready for an exciting upgrade to your train travel experience in India! The Vande Bharat Express is here to revolutionize your journeys.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just unveiled four new Vande Bharat Express trains, adding a touch of luxury and speed to some of India's most popular routes. These trains are designed to offer a premium travel experience, making short to medium-distance journeys more comfortable and efficient.
But here's where it gets controversial... While these trains are an upgrade, they also come with a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph, which some may argue is not fast enough for the 'express' tag. Nonetheless, let's explore the routes and features of these new additions to the Indian Railways family.
Firozpur Cantt-Delhi Vande Bharat Express:
- Route: Firozpur Cantt to Delhi
- Stoppages: Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat
- Time-table:
- Train 26462 departs Firozpur Cantt at 7:55 AM, reaching Delhi at 2:35 PM (6 hours 40 minutes)
- Train 26461 departs Delhi at 4:00 PM, reaching Firozpur Cantt at 10:35 PM
- Operates 6 days a week, excluding Wednesday
Varanasi-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express:
- Route: Varanasi to Khajuraho
- Stoppages: Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakut Dham, Banda, and Mahoba
- Time-table:
- Train 26422 departs Varanasi at 5:25 AM, reaching Khajuraho at 1:10 PM (7 hours 45 minutes)
- Train 26421 departs Khajuraho at 3:20 PM, reaching Varanasi at 11:00 PM
- Operates 6 days a week, except Thursday
Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express:
- Route: KSR Bengaluru to Ernakulam
- Stoppages: Krishnarajapuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Thrissur
- Time-table:
- Train 26651 departs Bengaluru at 5:10 AM, reaching Ernakulam at 1:50 PM (8 hours 40 minutes)
- Train 26652 departs Ernakulam at 2:20 PM, reaching Bengaluru at 11:00 PM
- Operates 6 days a week, except Wednesday
Lucknow Junction-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express:
- Route: Lucknow Junction to Saharanpur
- Stoppages: Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareily, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Roorkee
- Time-table:
- Train 26504 departs Lucknow Junction at 5:00 AM, reaching Saharanpur at 12:45 PM (7 hours 45 minutes)
- Train 26503 departs Saharanpur at 3:00 PM, reaching Lucknow Junction at 11:00 PM
- Operates 6 days a week, except Monday
The Vande Bharat Express trains come equipped with a range of features, including personalized reading lights, bio-vacuum toilets, and ambient lighting, giving them an aircraft-style feel. Other notable features are automatic transit doors, European-style seats, and modular mini pantries.
And this is the part most people miss... The Vande Bharat Express is a self-propelled train set, capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 kmph, but operational constraints limit it to 160 kmph.
So, what do you think? Is the Vande Bharat Express living up to its promise of a premium travel experience? Or is the speed a missed opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
