Ahmedabad: Indian Railways on Monday officially renamed the Vande Metro as the "Namo Bharat Rapid Rail". The move comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the country’s first Vande Metro in Gujarat today, a day before his birthday. The service, which will operate between Bhuj and Ahmedabad, is part of a broader launch of multiple Vande Bharat trains.

Flag-off and Inauguration
According to a Railway spokesperson, Prime Minister Modi will virtually flag off the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro service from Ahmedabad at 4:15 pm. The train is designed to enhance intercity connectivity, covering the 359 km distance between Bhuj and Ahmedabad in 5 hours and 45 minutes, with stops at nine stations along the route.

Public Service and ticket Pricing
The regular public service is scheduled to commence on September 17 from Ahmedabad. A one-way journey between Ahmedabad and Bhuj will cost Rs 455.

"The ministry has decided to rename Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail," a Railway spokesperson stated, emphasising the broader significance of the rebranding.

Features of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
According to the Railway Ministry, while conventional metro services typically cover short distances, the Namo Bharat trains will connect Ahmedabad with its surrounding cities. The train boasts 12 coaches, accommodating 1,150 passengers, and features ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins, and modular interiors.

The Ministry highlighted the train’s modular design, which includes ejector-based vacuum toilets—a significant upgrade from traditional suburban trains and metro coaches. "The rapid acceleration and deceleration allow for faster journeys between mid-distance cities, and the driving cabs at both ends eliminate turnaround time," the ministry added.

Other Vande Bharat routes
Along with the Bhuj-Ahmedabad service, several other Vande Bharat trains will also be flagged off by the Prime Minister today. These include routes like Kolhapur-Pune, Pune-Hubballi, Nagpur-Secunderabad, Agra Cantt-Banaras, and Durg-Visakhapatnam. The first 20-coach Vande Bharat train will operate between Varanasi and Delhi, according to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Timings and speed
Western Railway officials confirmed that the Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro service will stop at nine stations and cover the distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes, reaching a top speed of 110 km/h. The train is scheduled to depart from Bhuj at 5:05 am and reach Ahmedabad Junction by 10:50 am.

With PTI inputs