Wikipedia

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail

This article is about regional rail services operated by Indian Railways. For the Regional Rapid Transit EMU, see Namo Bharat.

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (also referred to as Vande Metro) is a short-distance service that operates on an inter-city rail network to connect major cities within a distance of around 100–250 km (62–155 mi).[1][2] RCF Kapurthala, had rolled out the first Basic Unit (4 coaches) of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail in April 2024.[3] This train will be part of the 'Make in India' initiative by the Government of India and entered commercial service in September 2024.

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on its trial run
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusOperating
PredecessorMEMU
Websiteindianrail.gov.in
Route
Distance travelled100–250 km (62–155 mi)
Line(s) used1
On-board services
Seating arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesNo
Observation facilitiesWide windows
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Other facilities
Technical
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) (maximum)
Average length8–16 Coaches

History

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Announcement

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Following the success of the Vande Bharat Express in the medium-distance segment, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail as Vande Metro was first announced by then Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav in April 2023 as a short-distance version intended for regional travel.[4][5]

Prototypes

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Trial runs

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With the trainsets getting into the final stages, trial runs for the trainsets were scheduled for July 2024. These trials were to be focused on metropolitan cities, satellite cities, and large urban centres.[6][7][8]

A successful trial run was conducted on 3 August 2024 which ran from Chennai's Villivakkam railway station and terminated at Katpadi Junction.[9][10][11][12]

Another trial run was conducted on 8 September 2024 which ran from Ahmedabad railway station to Bhuj railway station. During the trial run, the train covered the distance in five hours, one and a half hours less than then-operational trains. During the trial, the train achieved a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).[citation needed]

Entry into service

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The first Ahmedabad-Bhuj train service started on 16 September 2024. It consists of 12 cars, covering a distance of 359 km (223 mi). The travel time is approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes, with a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) and an average speed of 63 km/h (39 mph).

Rolling stock

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The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is a self-propelled trainset akin to the Vande Bharat Express, eliminating the need for a separate locomotive. Designed to replace MEMU trains, its primary aim is to offer passengers faster and more comfortable travel options. With a maximum operational speed of 130 km/h (81 mph),[13] it surpasses the current running MEMUs.

Each coach features lightweight, cushioned seats accommodating 100 seated passengers and space for 200 standing. It is fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern amenities, including sealed gangways for easy movement. It also has aluminium luggage racks, LCD displays for passenger information, automatic doors, mobile charging sockets, diffused lighting, route displays, and panoramic windows with roller blinds.[14]

Safety features include the KAVACH anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, Emergency talk-back units, fire detection systems, and modular bio-vacuum toilets. Initially, the trainsets will consist of 12 to 16 coaches depending on route demand.

Rake formation

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Abbreviations:

DTC – Driving Trailer Coach; NDTC – Non-Driving Trailer Coach; MC – Motor Coach; MC2 – Motor Coach with electrical change-over switch; MC3 – 180° rotated MC2; TC – Trailer Coach having Pantograph

Rake Formation of 12 coach Namo Bharat Rapid Rail trainset
Coach No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Power Configuration DTC MC TC MC2 NDTC MC TC MC2 MC3 TC MC DTC
Basic Power Units Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3
Seating Capacity 57 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 104 57
Standing Capacity 104 185 185 185 185 185 185 185 185 185 185 104
Total Seating Capacity= 1150
Total Standing Capacity= 2058
Total Capacity= 3208

Services

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Operational services

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S.No. Service Zone Cars Distance Travel time Speed Inaugural run Ref
Maximum[a] Average
1 Ahmedabad-Bhuj WR 12 359 km (223 mi) 5h 40m 110 km/h (68 mph) 63 km/h (39 mph) 16 September 2024 [15][16][17]

Proposed services

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S.No Service Zone Distance Ref
1 Mumbai Suburban Railway Central Line CR 180 km (110 mi) [18]
Harbour Line 66 km (41 mi)
Trans-Harbour Line 38 km (24 mi)
Port Line 26.7 km (16.6 mi)
Vasai Road-Roha Line 100 km (62 mi)
Western Line WR 123.78 km (76.91 mi)
2 Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur NR 72 km (45 mi) [6]
3 Chennai–Tirupati SR 147 km (91 mi) [6]
4 Agra–Mathura NR 54 km (34 mi) [6]
5 Bhubaneswar–Balasore ECoR 206 km (128 mi) [19]
6 Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam (Via Kottayam) SR 205 km (127 mi) [19]
7 Thrissur–Kozhikode SR 120 km (75 mi) [19]
8 Delhi–Rewari NR 82 km (51 mi) [19]
9 Durg–Nagpur SECR 265 km [20]

Notes

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  1. ^ Maximum permissible speed over different sections as approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "India's first Vande Metro renamed Namo Bharat Rapid Rail: All you need to know". The Indian Express. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  2. ^ "RCF to roll out first prototype of Vande Metro coach by April: S Srinivas". Business Standard. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  3. ^ "1st Vande Metro: AMAZING PICS! First look revealed – See PHOTOS". 3 April 2024.
  4. ^ Rao, Lingamgunta Nirmitha (14 April 2023). "'Vande Metro' to be rolled out by Dec 2023; Check features, other details". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Vande Metro: Know all about India's fastest and next generation intercity train". Metro Rail Today. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Mishra, Twesh (27 April 2024). "Vande Metro trial runs to begin in July 2024". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. ^ "India to get its first Vande Bharat Metro soon! Trial run to start in July – Details inside". Financial Express. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Cutting-Edge Vande Metro Trains To Be Rolled Out Soon; Trials Begin In July: Check Details, Routes Here". www.india.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Railway takes Vande Metro on trial run from Villivakkam to Katpadi". www.dtnext.in. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Inaugural Trial Run of Vande Metro Train Sets New Benchmark for Indian Railways". Metro Rail Today. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  11. ^ "12-Car Vande Metro with 104 Seats to Begin Trial Run Today from Chennai to Katpadi: Check Features". Times Now. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  12. ^ "ICF to start Vande metro trials today in Chennai". The Times of India. 3 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Vande Metro: Indian Railway Gears Up To Roll Out High-Speed New Intercity Train With 130 kmph Operational Capability". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Increasing train coaches, Vande Metro among Vaishnaw's target for the year". Hindustan Times. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  15. ^ "First Vande Metro launch! PM Modi to flag off train linking Bhuj and Ahmedabad – Check timings, features and fare". Financial Express. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Inaugural Vande Bharat Metro to be from Gandhinagar to Bhuj". The Times of India. 13 August 2024.
  17. ^ "PM Modi to flag off country's first Vande Metro between Ahmedabad-Bhuj and Vande Bharat trains". thefederal.com. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Mumbai Infra Boost: AC Vande Metro to Replace Mumbai Local Trains - All you need to know". Times Now. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d "Trials for short distance Vande Metro to begin in July". Times of India. 27 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Vande-metro-will-run-between-durg-and-nagpur".
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