India Gets Its First Vande Metro: Ahmedabad to Bhuj in 5.45 Hours From Tomorrow | Details

Ahmedabad: India got its first Vande Metro service as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the high-speed metro train connecting Ahmedabad with Bhuj, on Monday.

The Vande Metro services from Ahmedabad to Bhuj will commence operations on September 17, while that from Bhuj to Ahmedabad will start on September 18. 

Indigenously developed, the train comprises of 12 air-conditioned coaches. The train also has modern amenities including centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, modular interiors, continuous LED lighting, toilets with vacuum evacuation. The rain also offers the facilities of route map indicators, panoramic windows, CCTV, phone-charging facilities and automatic smoke/fire detection with alarm system and aerosol based fire extinguishing system. 

Reduced Travel time:

The train with advanced features will cover 360-kilometer distance in just 5 hours and 45 minutes at a speed of 110 kilometres per hour. Currently, it takes over six hours to travel between the two cities.

Train Schedule

According to Western Railways, the Vande Metro will leave Ahmedabad at 5.30pm everyday except Saturdays and reach Bhuj at 11.10pmon the same day.

Whereas, the Metro train will depart from Bhuj at 5.05am everyday except Sundays and arrive at Ahmedabad at 10.50am on the same day.

Stoppages & Fare:

The trains will have nine stoppages – at Sabarmati, Chandlodiya, Viramgam, Dhrangadhra, Halvad, Samakhiali, Bhachau, Gandhidham and Anjar.

The total journey will cost Rs 455, according to media reports. The minimum chargeable fare for Vande Bharat Metro will be Rs 30.

In an attempt to enhance accessibility, the trains have been designed with inclusivity features such as Divyangjan-friendly toilets, a fully sealed flexible gangway and meal service among others. The Railways that will launch a minimum of 12 Vande Metro coaches initially plans to increase coaches up to 16 as per the demand on the route.