GUJARAT (Metro Rail News): The fourth semi-high-speed Vande Bharat train after Gujarat, which will depart from the railways’ Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, is most likely to be pressed into service for poll-bound Himachal Pradesh. Within the next two weeks, the trainset or rake will probably be prepared.
According to sources, the train would do a test run between Delhi and Una (in Himachal Pradesh), passing through Chandigarh. The government would probably choose to run the train on the route between Delhi and Una or Delhi and Kalka. Kalka is also known as the entrance to Himachal Pradesh. Currently, express trains travel the distance between Delhi and Una in about 7-8 hours. The deployment of this train would cut down on overall journey time.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the third Vande Bharat train, which can run at a top speed of 160 kmph, from Gandhinagar station. Every state wants to get the Vande Bharat trains, say officials.
They stated that the testing for the new train will last for a few days because the prototype train has already undergone thorough testing on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route to receive the chief commissioner of railway safety’s (CCRS) approval. Testing needs to be done on the overhead equipment (OHE) and other crucial components.
The 16-coach Vande Bharat train would be hauled to Delhi in accordance with the schedule, and would then undergo a brief test run on the Delhi-Una route.
Compared to the two first-generation trains now operating on the Delhi-Varanasi and Delhi-Katra routes, the second-generation Vande Bharat has better amenities and is faster.
