Vande Bharat Exp reaches Varanasi 1 hr 25 mins behind schedule
VARANASI : India’s first semi highspeed train, Vande Bharat Express, arrived here from New Delhi an hour and 25 minutes behind schedule on its maiden commercial run on Sunday, a railway official said.
The delay took place a day after the train broke down on its way back to the national capital from here on Saturday on the return leg of its inaugural non-commercial journey.
On Sunday, the train reached the Varanasi Cantonment station at 3.25pm instead of its scheduled arrival at 2pm. It left for New Delhi at 4.25pm on its return commercial journey.
A railway official, who did not wish to be named, said the train was delayed somewhere between New Delhi and Kanpur. But he also said he had no idea of the reason for the delay.
The passengers who arrived in Varanasi lauded facilities in the train but suggested an improvement in the quality of food served on board.
Dr SC Vats, resident of New Delhi, said, “This train is a new beginning in the history of the Indian Railways. It has good facilities. Chairs are good. But there is a need to improve in the quality of food.”
Dr Avnish Rai, resident of Teliabagh in Varanasi, said, “It was really exciting to travel by the semi high-speed train. More such trains should be introduced.”
New Delhi-based Kamla Khanna, who arrived in Varanasi to attend a wedding, said, “It was a wonderful experience. But the quality of food needs to improve.”
IM Pandey, another passenger, said washroom facilities should improve as the basin was narrow.
Before boarding the Vande Bharat Express on its return journey to New Delhi, Monika, a tourist, said, “I am quite thrilled about travelling by Vande Bharat Express for the first time.”
Cantonment station director Anand Mohan said, “It was a very smooth run. The train is equipped with the best of facilities. Passengers enjoyed the journey. They expressed happiness on arrival at the station.”
Earlier in the day, railway minister Piyush Goyal tweeted: “Vande Bharat Express left Delhi for Varanasi today morning on its first commercial run. Tickets sold out for the next two weeks already. Get yours today!”
In a detailed press release issued on Saturday night, railways said during the transportation back from Varanasi (on the return leg of the inaugural journey) it was stopped at Chamraula station of National Capital Region, about 18 km after crossing Tundla station, on Saturday.
“There was an issue of communication between the last basic unit of 4 coaches and the rest of the train probably due to some external hit. Thereafter, safety features in the train applied brakes. The train was checked for faults and moved to Delhi,” it said. “It was a case of skidding wheels after the train ran over cattle,” Northern Railway chief public relations officer Deepak Kumar had said.
Train 18, which was recently rechristened Vande Bharat Express, had left Varanasi junction for Delhi at 10.30pm on Friday, nearly 45 minutes after reaching the holy city on its inaugural journey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the train from New Delhi on Friday.