Hours before its inaugural, the Railway Ministry on Monday (September 16) renamed the Vande Metro train as Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the country's first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail from Gujarat's Bhuj to Ahmedabad later today.
The service will be flagged off from the Bhuj railway station at 4:15 pm virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be present in Ahmedabad, according to a Railway spokesperson.
The train will cover 359 km in 5.45 hours and is expected to enhance connectivity between Bhuj and Ahmedabad. The regular service of the train for the public will begin on September 17 from Ahmedabad, and the total journey will cost Rs 455.
"The ministry has decided to rename Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail," sources told ABP News.
As per the Ministry of Railway, while the other metros cover only short distances, Namo Bharat trains will connect Ahmedabad with its peripheral cities.
Featuring 12 coaches with seating for 1,150 passengers, the Rapid Rail offers a host of innovative features, it said. "With ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins and modular interiors, it definitely proves to be superior to other metros." A significant upgrade, according to the Ministry, from traditional suburban trains and metro coaches is its modular design that includes ejector-based vacuum evacuation toilets.
"The 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," it added.