Modi to inaugurate India's first 'Vande Metro' service on Monday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first "Vande Metro" service on Monday, during his two-day visit to Gujarat. The Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro, a fully unreserved air-conditioned train, will allow passengers to purchase tickets shortly before departure. Western Railway (Ahmedabad division) Public Relations Officer Pradeep Sharma, confirmed that the train can accommodate 2,058 standing and 1,150 sitting passengers.
Route and timings
The Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro service will cover a distance of 360km in five hours and 45 minutes, with a top speed of 110km per hour. The train is scheduled to depart from Bhuj at 5:05am and arrive at Ahmedabad Junction at 10:50am. It will make stops at nine stations along the route.
Vande Metro's design and safety features
The "Vande Metro" is designed similarly to the indigenous semi-high-speed train Vande Bharat. It features fully AC coaches and is equipped with the "KAVACH" anti-collision system among other state-of-the-art features. The launch of this service marks a significant milestone in India's public transportation sector, offering a new mode of travel for daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
PM Modi's itinerary in Gujarat
Apart from launching the Vande Metro service, PM Modi will also inaugurate the 4th edition of the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2024), at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar on Monday. He is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects worth over ₹8,000 crore in Ahmedabad. Also he will launch the second phase of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro rail service during his visit.
