Train 18, India’s fastest train, is yet to become operational but has already become a symbol of how some people in India treat public property.

Days before its first run, Train 18 was pelted with stones during a trial run between Delhi and Agra.

A senior railway official said that the train, which can run at 180 kmph was attacked on December 20 which resulted in damage to one window pane of a coach.

The Railways had to appeal to the public not to damage railway property

ICF spokesperson GV Venkatesan said that vandalising public property such as trains and railway stations is condemnable.

“Public are requested to desist from vandalising railway properties including trains, railway stations and defacing them. After all, it is the public property that belongs to them,” he said.

Sudhanshu Mani, General Manager of the ICF, tweeted, “Train 18 running at 180 km/h between Delhi and Agra at this time… Srinivas, the Chief Design Engineer of ICF is in the cab, they touched 181 kmh for record sake… Some vandal threw a stone breaking a glass, hope we nab him.”

Train 18 running at 180 km/h bet Delhi and Agra at this time…Srinivas, the Chief Design Enginner of ICF is in the cab, they touched 181 kmh for record sake 😊…some vandal threw a stone breaking a glass, hope we nab him. pic.twitter.com/YXpqUS6qqC

— ManiSudhanshu (@ManiSudhanshu58) December 20, 2018

This is not the first time that an Indian Railways train has been vandalised. In May 2017, the Tejas Express was similarly damaged by miscreants during its trail run from Kapurthala to Delhi. And underlining the general attitude of some people towards public property in India, passengers damaged LED screens and stole headphones of a Tejas Express on its first run from Mumbai to Goa in July the same year.

Train 18, India’s first engine-less train, is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 December.

On Sunday, 2 December, the train set a speed record of 180 kmph during a test run thus officially becoming the fastest train in the country.

Designed and developed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, Train 18 breached the 180 kmph speed limit during a run in the Kota-Sawai Madhopur section without any technical problems.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had then shared a video on social media highlighting the level of engineering that went into this ‘Make in India’ project.

Read More: Train 18 moves at 180 kmph but water bottles remain stable

Though Train 18 can touch 200 kmph, it will operate at a maximum speed of 160 kmph. To run at 200 kmph, the train would require upgraded tracks and signals.

Designed to replace the Shatabdi Express, Train 18 was flagged off by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani on 29 October.

Besides the speed, Train 18 has an advanced array of features including energy-efficient coaches, which leaves less carbon footprint. Every alternate coach is motorised to ensure even distribution of power in the train.

The train has driver coaches at both ends – like metro and local trains across the country.

Passenger comfort has been given detailed attention. Features include CCTVs, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, rotational seats, modular and disabled-friendly toilets with bio-vacuum systems, automatic doors with retractable footsteps among other features.

Train 18 will have 16 coaches and the same number of seats as in a Shatabdi Express.

(With inputs from agencies.)