PM Modi Flags Off Maiden Run of India’s First Semi High Speed Train “Vande Bharat Express”

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the maiden run of the India’s first Semi High Speed Train, “Vande Bharat Express” from New Delhi on February 15, 2019.
• The “Train 18”, which has recently been rechristened as “Vande Bharat Express” will run on New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route.
• It will cover the distance between New Delhi and Varanasi in 8 hours and will run on all days except Mondays and Thursdays.

Basic Features of the Vande Bharat Express

• It has been designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, a Railways Production unit in just 18 months.
• The train can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
• Vande Bharat Express has 16 air-conditioned coaches of which 2 are executive class coaches. The total seating capacity is 1,128 passengers.
• Speed, Safety and Service are the hallmarks of this train.
• The train has regenerative braking system which can save up to 30 percent of electrical energy.
• All coaches of Vande Bhart Express are equipped with automatic doors, GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, on-board hotspot WiFi, bio-vacuum toilets, dual mode lighting system for each seat and pantry facility for each coach.