Finally, the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express reached Mumbai with hundreds of passengers on Friday evening as a special service. Regular services will start from Saturday morning from Mumbai Central. About 313 passengers enjoy the historical ride on the first day.
The new semi-high speed train covered the distance of 492 km between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in 5.30 hours.
Mumbaikars welcomed the train in its unique style. As the train entered Platform Number 5 of Mumbai Central station on Friday at around 7.30 pm, a loud cheer erupted. Hundreds of people had turned up to witness the landmark event.
Earlier, the train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Gandhinagar on Friday Morning.
The PM arrived at Gandhinagar Capital station on Friday morning and inspected the train coaches and took stock of the on board facilities. He also inspected the control centre of the locomotive engine of this upgraded version of the train.
“After the flagging off, PM boarded the Vande Bharat Express and travelled from Gandhinagar Capital station to Ahmedabad station. He interacted with his co-passengers including those from the family members of railway staff, women entrepreneurs and researchers and youngsters. He also interacted with workers, engineers and other staff who toiled to make Vande Bharat trains a shining success. After alighting at Ahmedabad station, the PM proceeded to the function venue at Ahmedabad Education Society wherein he inaugurated the Phase-I of Ahmedabad Metro rail project" said an official of WR.
The passengers travelling in the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express were presented with a souvenir ticket and memento to make this historic trip memorable.
RK Shah, a 35-year-old Ahmedabad resident who traveled up to Mumbai Central, said, "It was great experience, ride was very smooth and jerk-free".
Similarly, Kanti Lal Jain, 45, a resident of Surat, said, " It's noise pollution-free train, which will certainly change the standard of train journey of the country.”
