Ahmedabad: The first trial run of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (also known as Vande Metro) was successfully completed earlier this week on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route. There is currently consideration to extend this service between Mumbai and Surat. Following the successful trial, the Railway Board is expected to make a decision on the route and the launch date soon.

The trial was conducted under the supervision of the Railway’s Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) team, who assessed key factors such as vibration and shock levels during the run. The train, which traveled via Surat, arrived in Mumbai on Monday afternoon, maintaining a speed of 130 kilometers per hour.

This train, inspired by the Vande Bharat concept, consists of 12 coaches with 1,150 ergonomically designed seats and is equipped with advanced technology, including fully air-conditioned coaches, CCTV surveillance, a talk-back system, and passenger information display boards.

One of the standout features of the Vande Metro is its ability to accelerate and decelerate rapidly, reducing travel time between mid-distance cities. With a maximum speed of 130 km/h, it surpasses conventional electric multiple unit (MEMU) trains. This new intercity metro rail service is designed for routes ranging from 250 to 350 km, with an average travel time of 3 to 5 hours. DeshGujarat