Service of Vande Bharat only thrice a week on this route, Konkan Railway explains reason

MUMBAI: The Konkan Railway has made changes in the timings of Vande Bharat Express trains. The official explanation is that as monsoon has arrived, the heavy rains during this period lead to waterlogging on railway tracks disrupts the movement of trains. The restriction that came into force on June 10 will continue till the end of October. During this period, the service of Vande Bharat will be only thrice a week. Restrictions will be there only for Vande Bharat trains and Tej Express plying on the Konkan route.

Timings of two Vande Bharat trains Mumbai CSMT-Madgaon (22229/22230) and Mumbai CSMT-Madgaon (22119/22120) are changing. These trains have more passengers. The service is now only available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Trains running through Konkan regions are operating at a reduced speed for safety reasons. This is because of the hills and mountains. The average speed limit for Vande Bharat services on this route is 75 kmph during monsoon.

There were reports that the speed of Vande Bharat trains, known for its speed, is slowing down in Kerala. In response to a question under the Right to Information document, the railways openly admitted the speed reduction.

Vande Bharat traveled at an average speed of 84.48 kmph during the period 2020-21. However, by 2023-24, the speed came down to 76.25 kmph. Railway officials said that not only Vande Bharat, the speed of many other trains has also been reduced.

The railway itself is explaining the reason for the slowdown of trains including Vande Bharat. However, it is not the problems related to the manufacture of the Vande Bharat train or the problem in the efficiency of the train that is behind the slow speed.

Major renovation work is going on in the railway tracks in different parts of the country. It is often not possible to go faster due to this. Railways said the new Vande Bharat trains running on routes with more difficult railway lines also contributed to the decrease in average speed.