New Delhi:
The much-anticipated Vande Metro has been officially renamed as “Numu Bharat Rapid Rail” by Indian Railways. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the country's first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service in Gujarat today, a day before his birthday.
The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will connect Bhuj in Gujrat's Kutch district to Ahmedabad, one of the state's largest cities, covering a distance of 360 km in just under six hours.
The train is capable of running at a maximum speed of 110 kmph and will make several stops, including at key stations such as Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, Samakhiali, Halwad, Dhrangdhara, Virgamgam, Chandludia, Sabarmati, and finally Ahmed. Kalupur in Abad. .
Operating six days a week, the service will be closed on Saturdays for departures from Bhuj and Sundays for departures from Ahmedabad. The train departs from Bhoj at 5:05 AM, arriving at Ahmedabad at 10:50 AM, returning from Ahmedabad at 5:30 AM, arriving Bhoj at 11:20 PM.
The train can accommodate 2,058 standing passengers and has seating for 1,150 passengers, with cushioned couches for added comfort. The fully air-conditioned metro is equipped with modern amenities, including automatic sliding doors and locomotives at both ends, making it different from the Vande Bharat Express usually seen in suburban metro services.
The minimum fare is fixed at Rs 30, inclusive of GST, a one-way journey from Bhoj to Ahmedabad will cost around Rs 430 excluding GST. For most commuters, weekly, fortnightly and monthly season tickets will be available, offering substantial savings of Rs 7, Rs 15, and Rs 20 per journey respectively.