The new era of the Indian Railway started with the Namo Bharat train, where short inter-city travel became luxurious with modern amenities, fast speed, and safety features. Gone are the days when you had to travel on buses with sweaty smells all around, delayed timings, and no seat to sit. The common man can now experience relaxing and premium travel.
Prime Minister Modi flagged off the train on 16 September. It is modeled and conceptualized on Vande Bharat. It was previously named Vande Metro and just after its inauguration, it was renamed Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.
Western Railways made the announcement on X (Formerly known as Twitter), stating that the Namo Bharat train is “envisioned to redefine intercity commuting in the country…. leap forward in commuter comfort and a catalyst for economic growth in Kutch.”
Not only does it offer premium intercity travel at a nominal rate, but it also aims to drive “job creation and boost local tourism.”
Timings
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will run between Ahmedabad and Bhuj in Gujrat. The Ahembabad to Bhuj train started on 17 September, while the train from Bhuj to Amhemdabad started on 18 September. There are 9 stations where the train will halt. The stations include:
- Sabarmati,
- Chandlodiya,
- Viramgam,
- Dhrangadhra,
- Halvad,
- Samakhiali,
- Bhachau,
- Gandhidham,
- Anjar
From | To | Journey Start Time | Journey End Time |
Ahmedabad | Bhuj | 17:30 hours | 23:10 hours |
Bhuj | Ahmedabad | 05:05 hours | 10:50 hours |
Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro will run every day except Saturday, and the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro will run every day except Sunday.
Ticket Price
The Namo Bharat train will offer a premium travel experience at an affordable price. The ticket price starts at just 30 rupees inclusive of GST. It will also offer seasonal tickets for daily commuters. The weekly ticket will be seven times the base fare. The fortnightly tickets will cost 15 times the base fare. A monthly ticket will be a value for money that is just 20 times that of the base fare.
The ticket price for the total journey will be Rs 455. Moreover, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail also applies the child fare rule, offering tickets for children at a lesser price. After the Jyotirlinga pilgrimage train, the Railway Ministry took another step towards cost-effective connectivity.
Features of the Namo Bharat Train
Western Railways stated that the Namo Bharat train features “12 air-conditioned coaches with centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, modular interiors, continuous LED lighting, toilets with vacuum evacuation, route map indicators, panoramic windows, CCTV, phone charging facilities.” Let’s look at some of the best things about this new aged inter-city train:
Speed
The NBRR offers the fastest inter-city travel as it covers 359 km distance in 5.45 hours. Its speed-focused robust mechanism enables it to run at the speed of 110 kilometers per hour, carrying a maximum of 1,150 passengers.
Safety
This train is not just about speed, affordability, and amenities, but it is also built with a focus on safety. The Railway Ministry highlighted the safety aspects and stated that it is equipped with safety systems like KAVACH for collision avoidance, automatic smoke/fire detection, and aerosol-based fire suppression. Moreover, this train will also have emergency lights, striking a perfect balance between efficiency and safety.
Inclusivity
From experience to accessibility, NBRR will be a modern train service with modern conceptions and considerations. It is designed with inclusive amenities like Divyangjan-friendly toilets, a fully sealed flexible gangway, and meal service, and many more.
The Bottom Line:
To conclude, the Namo Bharat train “offers faster journeys between mid-distance cities. Its rapid acceleration and deceleration contribute to efficient travel while driving cabs at both ends eliminates turnaround time,” according to the Railway Ministry.
Also Read: All About the World’s Tallest Temple, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir
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