After running continuously for three years, the first Vande Bharat train for Varanasi is undergoing a complete overhaul, a must for its further run. Currently, the Katra-bound Vande Bharat is being pressed into service on Delhi-Varanasi route.
While the first Vande Bharat train was manufactured at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs 97 crore, the overhauling of the 16-coach semi-high speed train is to cost Rs 10 crore to the Railways.
According to a senior Railway official, the Varanasi service has not been discontinued as the Katra-bound Vande Bharat Express; which is the second Vande Bharat train, is now running on Delhi-Varanasi route. As a result the Railways has pressed another train with Tejas coaches into service on Delhi-Katra sector.
The first Vande Bharat train is expected to resume its service by the month-end as all its 16 coaches are undergoing periodic overhaul at Shakur Basti workshop.
All parts of the coaches including spring, bearing and brake system are being repaired or replaced as per the condition. The bogey of the train has been sent to Charbagh workshop for overhauling.
Since these Vande Bharat trains are day-long services, there are no additional rakes available as of now.
Once more Vande Bharat rakes are being manufactured, these services would have extra rakes, maintained by the Railways.
After the periodic overhauling of first Vande Bharat, the second Vande Bharat train would be sent for the same.
The first Vande Bharat train on Delhi-Varanasi route was flagged off by the Prime Minister on 15 February 2019 and the second one on Delhi-Katra route was launched by Home Minister on 3 October 2019.
The PM had launched the ninth and tenth Vande Bharat Express from Mumbai for Shirdi and Solapur on 10 February.
So far, total ten Vande Bharat trains are being produced at ICF and the 11th Vande Bharat is expected to roll out on 22 February.
While the earlier two Vande Bharat trains are the first version of the semi-high speed trainset, the rest are the second version with upgraded facilities and amenities.