Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Vande Bharat Express, the semi high speed engine-less train manufactured under the Government of India’s Make in India initiative. Also known as Train 18, Vande Bharat Express is the Indian Railways’ fastest train. The first commercial run will take place on February 17.
The Vande Bharat Express will run between Delhi and Varanasi, covering the distance of 770 kilometres in around eight hours. It will have only two stoppages en route – Kanpur and Prayagraj — and run five days a week.
Manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Vande Bharat Express attained over 180 kmph speeds during its trials. Due to speed restrictions on the Delhi-Varanasi route, however, the train set can run on a maximum speed of 130 kmph.
The 16-coach dully air-conditioned train will have both Executive and non-Executive chair cars. Every coach has a pantry facility to serve hot meals and, hot and cold beverages.
There will be no concessions on the ticket fares — senior citizens, children discount etc. The fares will include the catering service charges. However, those travelling from Allahabad to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Allahabad on the return journey can opt out of meals, saving Rs 222 on chair car tickets and Rs 244 on executive class tickets.
Vande Bharat Express route
Up: Delhi-Kanpur-Prayagraj-Varanasi
Down: Varanasi-Prayagraj-Kanpur-Delhi
Vande Bharat Express full schedule, timings
Up schedule
Departure from New Delhi: 6 am
Kanpur: 10:20 am
Prayagraj: 12:25 pm
Varanasi: 2 pm
Down schedule
Departure from Varanasi: 3 pm
Prayagraj: 4:35 pm
Kanpur: 6:30 pm
Delhi: 11 pm
Operating days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Vande Bharat Express fares
The Railways has finalsed the ticket fares for Vande Bharat Express after reducing it from what was announced earlier.
Delhi-Varanasi (770 km)
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 1760
Executive class: Rs 3310
Delhi-Kanpur (447 km)
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 1090
Executive class: Rs 2105
Delhi-Prayagraj (642 km)
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 1395
Executive class: Rs 2750
Kanpur-Prayagraj (195 km)
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 595
Executive class: Rs 1170
Kanpur-Varanasi (319 km)
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 1020
Executive class: Rs 1815
Varanasi-Delhi
Non-Executive chair car: Rs 1700
Executive class: Rs 3260