Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train via video conference on April 12 in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw. The train will run between Delhi Cantt and Ajmer railway stations, covering Jaipur, Alwar, Rewari, and Gurugram. It will be the world’s first semi-high-speed passenger train to run on high-rise overhead electric (OHE) territory, and the first Vande Bharat Express train for Rajasthan.
The latest Vande Bharat Express train will cover the distance between Delhi Cantt and Ajmer in five hours and fifteen minutes compared to the current fastest transit of six hours and fifteen minutes provided by the Shatabdi Express. It will cover the distance between Delhi and Jaipur in four hours at 110 kilometres per hour. The ministry aims to increase the train speed to 130 to 150 kilometres per hour by flattening the curves between Delhi and Jaipur.
The train’s schedule will be announced once it opens for bookings on April 13. It is expected to boost tourism to popular destinations like Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Pushkar and improve socio-economic development in the area.
