PM to virtually inaugurate Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train tomorrow

Currently, three Vande Bharat trains operate from Mumbai – Mumbai-Solapur (400 km), Mumbai-Shirdi (340 km) and Mumbai Central-Gandhi Nagar (520 km). The fourth is the Vande Bharat Nagpur -Bilaspur Express (413 km).

At present, the journey from Madgaon station in Goa to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, covering a distance of nearly 586 km, takes about 11-12 hours. This distance can be covered by Vande Bharat train in just 8 hours, due to which the passengers will save 3 or 4 hours.

Since the Vande Bharat train is being launched in monsoon, the services will initially be available only thrice in a week. From CSMT Mumbai, Vande Bharat train number 22229 will leave at 5.25 am on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and will reach Madgaon at 3.30 pm.

Whereas from Madgoan, Vande Bharat train number 22230 will leave at 12.20 pm on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and will reach CSMT Mumbai at 10.25 pm.

The Vande Bharat train will have halts at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Khed, Ratnagiri, Kankavali stations in Maharashtra and Thivim in Goa.

It is pertinent to note that during monsoon, the Konkan Railway as a precautionary measure has deployed as many as 673 personnel to patrol its route to prevent any casualty on tracks in the region, which receives heavy rainfall. In fact, the trains run on restricted speed limit during heavy rains. As per the monsoon preparation media statement issued earlier by Konkan Railways’ Public Relation Office, it has cautioned that during heavy rain, when visibility is limited, loco pilots have been instructed to run trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph. Therefore, although Vande Bharat is having 120 kilometre per hour permissible speed limit, during monsoon it will run on restricted speed limit only.

However, during non-monsoon, 22229/22230 Mumbai-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will be available 6 days a week except on Friday. It will leave CSMT Mumbai at 5.25 am and reach Madgaon at 1.10 pm. And from Madgaon, it will leave at 2.40 pm on same day and reach CSMT Mumbai at 10.25pm.

Vande Bharat Express is a self-propelled semi-high speed train. This train has been completely indigenously manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The train will have 8 chair car coaches with stainless steel car body and comfortable seating. The bogies are provided with fully suspended traction motors for a speed capability of 160 kilometre per hour.

Also, the Vande Bharat Express has two driver cab coaches at both ends, which ensures faster turn-around time at destinations and saves time. The train will have on-board Wi-Fi infotainment, GPS-based passenger information system, sleek interiors, bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free features, diffused LED lighting, charging points under each seat, individual touch-based reading lights and concealed roller blinds. Besides, each coach is fitted with a 32-inch screen to provide information and entertainment to the passengers.

Mini Pantry facility is available in each coach for hot food, hot and cold beverages to the passengers.

The train has reclining seats in all classes, while executive coaches have the additional facility of 180 degree swivel seats. From safety perspective, the train is equipped with ‘Kavach’ technology, an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System. It is also fitted with emergency alarm button and emergency talk back unit, so that passengers can talk to the crew in case of emergency. CCTVs have been installed in all coaches for safe travel. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 kmph in 129 seconds.

Since the Vande Bharat train is being launched in the monsoon season, one-way services will initially be available thrice a week. From CSMT Mumbai, Vande Bharat (Train Number 22229) will leave at 5.25 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and reach Madgaon at 3.30 pm.

From Madgaon, Vande Bharat (Train Number 22230) will leave at 12.20 pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and reach CSMT Mumbai at 10.25 pm.

The Vande Bharat train will have halts at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Khed, Ratnagiri, and Kankavali stations in Maharashtra and Thivim in Goa.

Notably, during the monsoon, the Konkan Railway has deployed 673 personnel to patrol its route. The trains also have restricted speed limits during heavy rainfall. As per a media statement issued earlier by the Konkan Railway, loco pilots have been instructed to run trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph. So, even though the Vande Bharat has a 120 kmph permissible speed limit, during the monsoon it will have a restricted speed limit.

As per officials, 22229/22230 Mumbai-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will be available six days a week except Friday after the monsoon. From CSMT Mumbai, it will leave at 5.25 am and reach Madgaon at 1.10 pm. And from Madgaon it will leave at 2.40 pm on the same day and reach CSMT Mumbai at 10:25 pm.

The Vande Bharat Express is a self-propelled semi-high-speed train. The train has been indigenously manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The train has eight chair car coaches with stainless steel car body and comfortable seating. The bogies are provided with fully suspended traction motors for a speed capability of 160 kmph.

Also, the Vande Bharat Express has two driver cab coaches at both ends, which ensures faster turn-around time and saves time. The train comes with onboard Wi-Fi infotainment, a GPS-based passenger information system, sleek interiors, bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free features, diffused LED lighting, charging points under each seat, individual touch-based reading lights, and concealed roller blinds. Besides, each coach is fitted with a 32-inch screen. A mini pantry facility is also available on each coach.

The train offers reclining seats in all classes, while executive coaches have the additional facility of 180-degree swivel seats. From the safety perspective, the train is equipped with ‘Kavach’ technology –an indigenously developed train collision avoidance system. It is also fitted with CCTVs, emergency alarm buttons, and emergency talk-back units so that passengers can talk to the crew in case of an emergency. The train can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 kmph in 129 seconds.