Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off six new Vande Bharat Express trains today at Tatanagar Junction in Jharkhand, marking a significant expansion in India's semi-high-speed rail network. According to the Railway Ministry, these new trains will enhance connectivity and provide faster, safer, and more comfortable travel for passengers.
With the addition of these six routes—Tatanagar-Patna, Brahmapur-Tatanagar, Rourkela-Howrah, Deoghar-Varanasi, Bhagalpur-Howrah, and Gaya-Howrah—the total number of Vande Bharat trains in operation will increase from 54 to 60. This will enable 120 daily trips, covering more than 280 districts across 24 states and union territories.
The Vande Bharat Express, designed and manufactured under the 'Make in India' initiative, is a cornerstone of Indian Railways' modernization efforts. Known for its cutting-edge features such as high-speed capabilities of up to 160 km/h, advanced safety systems, and world-class passenger amenities, the train is helping to transform travel across the country.
Since its introduction on February 15, 2019, the Vande Bharat fleet has collectively completed around 36,000 trips, transporting over 3.17 crore passengers. The next-generation Vande Bharat 2.0 trains come with even more advanced features, including rapid acceleration, the Kavach safety system, onboard WiFi, and an anti-virus system, further enhancing the travel experience.
Indian Railways sees the expansion of the Vande Bharat network as a key step in revolutionizing rail travel, offering unparalleled speed, safety, and comfort. As more trains are added, passengers across the country will benefit from improved travel options that reflect India's engineering innovation and commitment to providing world-class transport infrastructure.