As Train 18 Experiences Trouble, Rahul Gandhi, Piyush Goyal Spar

“Modi ji, I think Make in India needs a serious rethink. Most people feel it has failed,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

Indian Railway’s ambitious Train 18.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Rajendra B. Aklekar)

A day after Train 18, recently renamed Vande Bharat Express, faced mechanical difficulties, Twitter saw Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Piyush Goyal in a war of words over the incident.

On Sunday, when the Vande Bharat Express began its first commercial run, Goyal tweeted a video of the train and stated that tickets were sold out for the next two weeks already.

Most People Feel Make in India Has Failed: Rahul Gandhi

A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, ran into some trouble early on Saturday morning while returning to Delhi from Varanasi.

Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme, claiming that most people feel that the programme has failed.

He took to Twitter to say:

Gandhi also tagged a report which claimed Train 18 'breaks down' 200 km outside Delhi.

After experiencing problems, the train reached Delhi around 1 pm on Saturday and is scheduled to begin its first commercial run on Sunday with all tickets already sold out.

While officials said the problem was caused by "skidding wheels", those on board the train claimed it was a case of malfunctioning of brakes.

Piyush Goyal’s Retort

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal responded to Rahul Gandhi, by tweeting:

“Such a shame that you choose to attack the hard work and ingenuity of Indian engineers, technicians and labourers. It is THIS mindset which needs a reset. ‘Make In India’ is a success and a part of crores of Indian lives. Your family had 6 decades to think, wasn’t that enough?”

The Ministry of Railways also dismissed the reports of the train’s trouble, claiming in a statement:

“During the transportation back from Varanasi it was stopped at Chamraula station of National Capital Region, about 18 kms after crossing Tundla station. There was an issue of communication between the last basic unit of 4 coaches and the rest of the train probably due to some external hit. Thereafter, safety features in the train applied brakes. The train was checked for faults and moved to Delhi.”

Train 18 was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. It became India's fastest train by hitting speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani route. It was renamed Vande Bharat Express by Piyush Goyal.

(With inputs from PTI)