Kannur: India's highly anticipated first Vande Metro has officially launched, with its inaugural test run scheduled for Saturday morning. This new metro, crafted by Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF), promises significant advancements in rail travel.

The test run will cover the Chennai-Katpadi route, spanning 150 kilometers, and will be conducted at a speed of 130 kmph. Following this trial, the allocation of the metro to specific zones will be determined. Previously, the Vande Metro underwent successful testing in Kota, Rajasthan, where it reached speeds of 180 kmph, including the rail kavach system for enhanced safety.

In Kerala, there is excitement about the potential introduction of 10 Vande Metro services, including routes such as Ernakulam-Kozhikode, Kozhikode-Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam.

The Vande Metro features a modified design of MEMU carriages, equipped with air-conditioned coaches. Each coach has the capacity to accommodate up to 200 passengers.