The 17th Vande Bharat Express, India’s fastest train, was flagged off on Monday by Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, from New Delhi to Varanasi. The train, which was launched in 2019, can run at a speed of up to 160 kmph and covers the distance between Delhi and Varanasi in just 8 hours.
Apart from the 17th Vande Bharat Express, four new trains were also announced by the Railway Minister. These include the Gandhinagar-Varanasi Superfast Express, the Dadar-Tirunelveli Superfast Express, the Yesvantpur-Danapur Weekly Express, and the Gandhidham-Bhagalpur Weekly Express.
The Gandhinagar-Varanasi Superfast Express will cover a distance of 1,530 km in 26 hours, while the Dadar-Tirunelveli Superfast Express will cover 1,767 km in 33 hours. The Yesvantpur-Danapur Weekly Express will run between Bengaluru and Danapur, covering a distance of 2,247 km in 41 hours. The Gandhidham-Bhagalpur Weekly Express will cover a distance of 2,210 km in 46 hours.
The new trains will be equipped with modern amenities such as CCTV cameras, bio-toilets, and comfortable seating arrangements for passengers. The introduction of these trains is expected to provide better connectivity and convenience to passengers traveling across the country.
During the flagging off ceremony, the Railway Minister also announced that the Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. He said that the Railways is working towards electrifying its entire network by 2023 and is also focusing on the use of renewable energy sources.
The Vande Bharat Express, which has been hailed as a symbol of “Make in India” initiative, is manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The train has been designed to reduce travel time and provide passengers with a world-class experience. The train is equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, GPS-based passenger information system, and comfortable seating arrangements.
In conclusion, the flagging off of the 17th Vande Bharat Express and the announcement of four new trains by the Railway Minister is a step towards providing better connectivity and convenience to passengers across the country. The focus on reducing carbon emissions and the use of renewable energy sources by the Indian Railways is a positive step towards sustainable development.
