Vande Bharat Express: Transforming Rail Travel on Mumbai-Goa Route

In a significant rail development, the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express trial has commenced, signalling the forthcoming introduction of a formal high-speed rail service on this route. Currently, Vande Bharat Express trains are operating on three routes to and from Mumbai, namely the Mumbai Central - Gandhinagar Capital, Mumbai - Sainagar Shirdi, and Mumbai - Solapur routes. However, the much-anticipated fourth Vande Bharat semi-high-speed train is set to make its debut soon after a thorough assessment.

The recent completion of the Mumbai-Goa rail line electrification has paved the way for the inauguration of this new train service. Vande Bharat Express trains are manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. They are equipped with advanced features and offer a top speed of 180 km/h. Notable amenities include bio-vacuum restrooms, automatic doors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and regenerative braking systems.

One remarkable aspect of the Vande Bharat Express trains is their ability to navigate steep ghats without the need for auxiliary back engines between Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nashik, making them a truly efficient and self-reliant mode of transportation. However, recent findings from a Right to Information (RTI) request reveal that the average speed of Vande Bharat Express has been approximately 83 km/h over the past two years, which is lower than its commercial service top speed of 130 km/h. This reduced speed can be attributed to the poor track conditions experienced during this period.

Analysing the data, it is evident that the average speed of Vande Bharat Express in the years 2021-2022 was 84.48 km/h, and in 2022-2023, it slightly decreased to 81.38 km/h. Comparing the average speeds of different Vande Bharat Express trains, the New Delhi-Varanasi route stands out with the fastest average speed of 95 km/h, while the Mumbai CSMT-Sainagar Shirdi route has the slowest average speed, clocking in at around 64 km/h. The Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express secures the second-fastest spot with an average speed of 94 km/h.

Furthermore, the Vande Bharat Express trains outshine the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains in terms of average speed due to their superior acceleration and deceleration capabilities. This ensures a faster and more efficient travel experience for passengers.