Train 18 Named Vande Bharat Express: Piyush Goyal

India’s first indigenously developed engineless train is called Train 18. 

(Photo courtesy: Facebook ICF page)

Acknowledging its made-in-India status, the Indian Railways has named the indigenously manufactured Train 18 as Vande Bharat Express, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday, 27 January.

"Train 18 will now be known as Vande Bharat Express. It's a train built completely in India by Indian engineers, in a span of 18 months. It'll ply from Delhi to Varanasi. It is an example that it's possible to make world-class trains under Make in India," Goyal said.

The train is set to run between Delhi and Varanasi at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

The 16-coach train, built in 18 months at a cost of Rs 97 crore by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, is regarded as a successor to the 30-year-old Shatabdi Express. It's also the first locomotive-less train in the country.

"It is completely made in India and various names were suggested by the general public but we have decided to name it Vande Bharat Express. A gift on the occasion of Republic Day to people. Will request the prime minister to flag it off," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off the train soon.

The fully air-conditioned train will stop at Kanpur and Allahabad and will have two executive chair cars.