Gujarat’s Bhuj-Ahmd Vande Metro renamed Namo Bharat Rapid Rail hours before inauguration

The Railway Ministry has renamed the Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail hours before its inaugural run on Monday (September 16, 2024), according to a spokesperson.

The service will be flagged off from the Bhuj railway station at 4:15 p.m. virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be present in Ahmedabad, he said.

The Rapid Rail, which aims to enhance intercity connectivity, will cover 359 km distance from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in 5:45 hours. In between, the train will stop at nine stations.

For the public, the regular service will start on September 17 from Ahmedabad. The total journey will cost ₹455.

According to the Railway Ministry, while the other metros cover only short distances, Namo Bharat trains will connect the heart of Ahmedabad with its peripheral cities.

A significant upgrade, according to the Ministry, from traditional suburban trains and metro coaches is its modular design that includes ejector-based vacuum evacuation toilets.