Vande Bharat train routes in India
In February 2019, Indian Railways introduced India’s first indigenous state-of-the-art semi-high-speed superfast express train named ‘Vande Bharat’ between Delhi and Varanasi. The Vande Bharat Express Trains in India aims at connecting cities that are at medium distances, i.e., less than eight hundred kilometers away. In other words, these trains operate between cities
In February 2019, Indian Railways introduced India’s first indigenous state-of-the-art semi-high-speed superfast express train named ‘Vande Bharat’ between Delhi and Varanasi.
The Vande Bharat Express Trains in India aims at connecting cities that are at medium distances, i.e., less than eight hundred kilometers away. In other words, these trains operate between cities that take only less than ten hours to travel with current train services.
Did you know? The Ministry of Railways plans to launch nearly four hundred such trains in the coming years. Read more!
The History Behind Vande Bharat Train
The Railway Board of India intended and geared for high-speed trains in the year 1960. The study attempted to increase the speed from 96 km/h back then to 160 km/h. With the help of RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organization) and ICF (Integral Coach Factory), Chennai, the board was able to launch the 120 km/h Rajdhani Express in 1969.
After decades, the board introduced the 160 km/h train in 2016. Again, after the “Make in India” movement, the board introduced indigenously designed self-propelled EMU trainsets with a maximum speed of 183 km/h during the trials in 2018. Later, in 2019, these trainsets were named “Vande Bharat Express Trains” and launched between the capital of India and Varanasi.
Vande Bharat: All You Need to Know About The Train Routes
Here is a brief overview of the first ten routes launched for this express train in India.
1. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)—New Delhi
- It was the first pride of Indian railways.
- The Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi flagged it off.
- The train number is 22435.
- It was launched in February 2019.
- It runs five days a week, except Thursdays and Mondays.
- The return train runs between New Delhi and Varanasi with train no. 22436.
2. New Delhi—SMVD KATRA (Jammu and Kashmir)
- It was the second train to be launched.
- The Honorable Minister of Home Affairs flagged it off.
- The train number is 22439.
- It was launched in October 2019.
- It operates all days except Tuesdays.
- The return train runs between SMVD KATRA and New Delhi with train no. 22440.
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3. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Gandhinagar CAP (Gujarat)
- The train number is 20901.
- It was launched in September 2022.
- Except for Sundays, it runs all the other days.
- The return train runs between Gandhinagar CAP and Mumbai Central with train no. 20902.
4. New Delhi—Amb Andaura (Himachal Pradesh)
- The train number is 22447.
- It was launched in October 2022.
- Except for Tuesdays, it operates all other six days a week.
- The return train runs between Amb Andaura and New Delhi with train no. 22448.
5. MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu)—Mysuru Vande Bharat Express (Karnataka)
- The train number is 20608.
- It was launched in November 2022.
- It runs six days a week.
- The return train runs between Mysuru and MGR Chennai Central with train no. 20609.
- It won’t run on Wednesdays.
6. Bilaspur (Bilaspur)—Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 20825.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- Except for Saturdays, it runs the remaining six days a week.
- The return train runs between Nagpur and Bilaspur with train no. 20826.
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7. Howrah (West Bengal)—New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)
- The train number is 22301.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- It operates all days except Wednesdays in a week.
- The return train runs between New Jalpaiguri and Howrah with train no. 22302.
8. Secunderabad (Telangana)—Visakhapatnam (Andra Pradesh)
- The train number is 20834.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- It operates six days a week, leaving on Wednesdays.
- The return train runs between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad with train no. 20835.
Want to book the train ticket yourself? The official website for Online train ticket booking in India is IRCTC!
9. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Sainagar Shirdi (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 22223.
- It was launched in February 2023.
- It runs six days a week, except Tuesdays.
- The return train runs between Sainagar Shirdi and Mumbai Central with train no. 22224.
- However, this train got canceled in 2023 due to poor signal systems and megablocks.
10. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Solapur (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 22225.
- It was launched in February 2023.
- Except for Wednesdays, it runs all the other days.
- The return train runs between Solapur and Mumbai Central with train no. 22226.
The Successive Vande Bharat Train Routes Launched in India
11. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)—New Delhi (Train number: 20171)
12. Secunderabad (Telangana)—Tirupati (Andra Pradesh) (Train number: 20701)
13. MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu)—Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) (Train number: 20643)
14. Delhi Cantt (New Delhi)—Ajmer (Rajasthan) (Train number: 20977)
15. Thiruvananthapuram Central (Kerala)—Kasaragod (Kerala) (Train number: 20634)
16. Puri (Odisha)-Howrah (West Bengal) (Train number: 22896)
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17. Anand Vihar Terminal (New Delhi)—Dehradun (Uttarakhand) (Train number: 22457)
18. New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)—Guwahati (Assam) (Train number: 22227)
19. Bengaluru (Karnataka)—Dharwad (Karnataka) (Train number: 20661)
20. Patna (Bihar)—Ranchi (Jharkhand) (Train number: 22349)
21. Indore (Madhya Pradesh)—Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) (Train number: 20991)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Vande Bharat trains are there in India?
As per the latest NDTV article dated February 2024, a total of eighty-two trains are operational across the Indian cities.
2. What facilities are on these trains?
The train has two classes—the AC Executive Class and the AC Chair Car Class. The executive class is furnished with 2×2 rotating seats and the chair car class is furnished with 2×3 retractable seats. These fully air-conditioned trains are equipped with CCTV cameras, wider windows, electric outlets, bio-vacuum toilets, reading lights, automatic doors, onboard catering, water taps with sensors, etc.
3. What are the new routes for Vande Bharat Express?
In March 2024, the ministry introduced around ten new routes. A few of them include Lucknow to Dehradun, Ranchi to Varanasi, Ahmedabad to Mumbai Central, and Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam.
4. What routes are expected in the future?
Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) to MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu), Jaipur (Rajasthan) to Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana), Jamnagar (Gujarat) to Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Udaipur (Rajasthan) to Jaipur (Rajasthan), etc.
5. Which is the longest-distance Vande Bharat train in India?
It is the first route between Varanasi and New Delhi, accounting for about 757–759 kilometers. The duration is about eight hours.
Heli-Taxi Service To Commence Between Manali and Rohtang: Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced that it will commence heli-taxi service soon between major tourists’ spots of Manali and Rohtang Pass, which it is confident of giving a fillip to tourism in Lahaul and Kullu areas. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur made the announcement, earlier this month, in a local public meeting. The heli-taxi service will carry tourists safely over the delightful snow-capped peaks, whilst offering a panoramic view of the region.
The chief minister hinted that the government is taking all the required steps to give a new boost to the tourism sector in the region by hopping up the infrastructure and other amenities to develop unexplored tourist destinations to entice more high–end visitors and rake more revenue. The heli-taxi service can prove more than handy during unforeseen events such as a landslide.
The chief minister further added that the service is already in operation between Shimla and Chandigarh and will soon commence between Manali and Rohtang to make life lot easier for tourists. Similar efforts will be put in future from Dharamshala to Dalhousie and Chamba, in addition from Manali to Chandigarh. The Himachal Pradesh Government had earlier started a helicopter taxi service from the city of Shimla to Chandigarh. The six-seater helicopter that flies from Manali to Rohtang at a height of 13050 feet, covering 50km distance, will bring down the travel time to twenty minutes or maybe less.
This operation was put through a trial run recently, which proved successful; a chopper made a soft landing on a helipad built recently at Vashisht Bihal near Manali. Rohtang Pass and Marhi also have two Helipads to its credit, with six more slated to come in the region in the future.
The heli-taxi service, however, will be restricted in case of inclement weather conditions in the region. The Rohtang route links the Kullu Valley with the Spiti Valley of the state. The heli-taxi service, nevertheless, is believed to do a world of good for both locals and tourists alike.
Travel Tips for Ladakh | Travel Agency
Ladakh, the mesmerizing heaven on earth, is at the Indus Valley at a very high altitude of the Himalayan ranges. What makes this cold, arid, and barren, desert, an epitome of unfathomable beauty is the scenic silence of nature with large snow capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, streams, strips of lush greenery, and unspoiled rich cultural heritage. However, this most wanted magical place on earth experiences scorching heat in summers and freezing cold in winters.
Ladakh, the mesmerizing heaven on earth, is at the Indus Valley at a very high altitude of the Himalayan ranges. What makes this cold, arid, and barren, desert, an epitome of unfathomable beauty is the scenic silence of nature with large snow capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, streams, strips of lush greenery, and unspoiled rich cultural heritage. However, this most wanted magical place on earth experiences scorching heat in summers and freezing cold in winters. To manage these drastic climatic changes, you must be aware of the weather, the best season to reach Ladakh, essentials to carry with and so on. This article on travel tips on Ladakh will guide you for an unforgettable adventure journey to Ladakh.
Weather and Tips
Due to the extreme chill climate during winter, with temperatures falling below -20 °C, Ladakh is closed to visitors in the months of November to February. Summers experience scorching heat with colder nights. As a rain shadow region, Ladakh receives an annual rainfall of 6”.
In summers, you can carry cotton wear for the daytime and trekking activities; still one needs warmer clothing during the night.
The best time to visit Ladakh is the monsoon season from June to September, as the area receives sparse rainfall. You can enjoy a warm climate, occasional showers, and chill winds. Trekking shoes, extra sandals, wind sheets, rain coats are essential.
Altitude and Precautions
As Ladakh is situated at a very high altitude of 3000 m above mean sea level, altitude sickness due to low oxygen level is most common. Some symptoms include headache, nausea, irregular breathing, fatigue, etc. To overcome this, some basic precautions to follow are:
• Drinking warm water at regular intervals
• Adequate rest for first two days
• While trekking, do not exert too mush strain on yourself
• Spend little time at high altitude passes
• Within one or two days, your body will get used to low oxygen and later you can spend your time with lots of ease.
Do not miss the activities
Trekking at Ladakh’s glaciers is the most adventurous and exciting activity in the whole of the world. As the trekking season starts from June, one can plan the visit during this period. Those not keen on long trekking can opt for short treks and visit monuments and monasteries. Adequate warm water and woolen clothing is essential even during trekking.
Mountaineering in the accessible peaks is another great activity that adventure lovers would enjoy. However, foreigners will need permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Which will be acquired by Best Travel agency packages
Your adventure journey to this remote and most wanted place is incomplete without experiencing river rafting at the deep canyon and roaring white waters of Indus and Zanskar. Those experiencing river rafting for the first time can choose the stretch from Spituk to Karu. A guide’s help is always advisable.
Chief attractions at Ladakh
Buddhist monasteries, Leh palace, Hall of Fame, Palaces of Shey and Sto, Museum, and Shanti stupa are not to be missed out.
Dos and Don’ts
• Do not use plastic bags.
• Never litter waste and dispose them effectively by burning or burying.
• Do not photograph the local nomads without permission.
• In national parks, never try to disturb the wild life.
• Always carry a water bottle.
• Try to book tickets and accommodation in advance.
Tips to Book Indian Railway Tickets Online
India is home to some of the most prominent destinations and every day, hundreds and thousands of people travel across different cities within the country for various reasons. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has trains serving the length and breadth across the country, and helps the citizens enjoy India’s outback, regional areas, coastal towns and cities in comfort. Being the most cost effective mode of travel, the Indian Railways continues to be the mode of preference for a majority of the travelers. It has also been the first choice for transfer of commodities and goods.
The launch of the IRCTS website a few years ago has made it possible for travelers to book tickets online. However, the task seems to be a daunting one for many. Here are a few tips that will help you book Indian railway tickets online in an efficient and cost-effective manner:
Registering as a new user – Booking tickets online through the IRCTC website involve user registration as the first step. Ensure you provide accurate name and correspondence address with valid mobile number. If you need to avail the SMS service, it is essential that you enter the correct mobile number. It is advisable to maintain only one account at a time; those with multiple accounts can experience termination of one or all accounts.
Decide between i-Tickets and e-Tickets – Online reservation lets you book i-Tickets and e-Tickets. After booking, i-Tickets are couriered to the address specified by the passenger while e-tickets are available immediately to be taken as a printout. While e-tickets can be booked on the same day till a certain point of time, i-ticket can be booked anytime before three days from the date of journey. Assess your situation and decide the type of ticket you need to book.
Booking in advance – It is always better to book rail tickets as early as possible. Tickets can disappear very quickly, especially during holiday season and even weekends. You may book tickets up to three months early before the date of travel.
Booking in Tatkal quota – The Tatkal quota opens up at 10 am sharp in the IRCTC website. Occupy your computer half an hour before and stay active in the website to ensure your session does not expire or get timed out. You can save time by auto-filling captchas and keeping train and passenger details ready.
Syncing the date and timings – A simple yet important point to make is synching the date and time between your computer and the IRCTC website.
Emperor Traveline operates a central ticket terminal and offers on spot ticket reservations and confirmations. With a single telephone call to us, you can easily book your train tickets to any destination within a few minutes.
