Vande Bharat Express train likely in Odisha from May

The Vande Bharat express train service is likely to start in Odisha in May this year, informed sources.

As per reports, the superfast high-end express train will originate from Puri and will run till Howrah via Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar.

According to sources, PM Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the express train.

The brand new Vande Bharat coaches left the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai for Kolkata on Wednesday. After primary maintenance in Kolkata, the coaches will come to Odisha, where the service is likely to be inaugurated after secondary maintenance.

Sources said a primary maintenance unit for the express train will be built in Kolkata.

A secondary maintenance unit is likely to be set up either in Puri or Bhubaneswar.

Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his Odisha visit last year, had assured that the State is going to get a Vande Bharat Express soon.

The Ministry of Railways has set a target of 200 Vande Bharat trains over the next two years, besides setting a target to run the first sleeper version of Vande Bharat by the first quarter of 2024. The Vande Bharat train features a GPS-based passenger information system, bio-vacuum toilets, and rotational seats that can be aligned in the direction of travel in the executive class, and employs a regenerative braking system. The Vande Bharat Express can reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph).