On maiden journey, Train 18 breaks down twice
NEWDELHI: A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s first semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express, ran into some trouble early Saturday while returning to Delhi from Varanasi.
The train reached Delhi around 1 pm on Saturday and is scheduled to begin its first commercial run on Sunday with all tickets already sold out.
While officials said the problem was caused by “skidding wheels”, those on board the train claimed it was a case of malfunctioning of brakes.
Train 18, which was recently rechristened Vande Bharat Express, had left Varanasi Junction for Delhi at 10:30 pm Friday, nearly 45 minutes after reaching the holy city on its inaugural journey.
The first breakdown occurred around 15 kilometres from Tundla junction in