# Namo Bharat Rapid Rail

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (also referred to as Vande Metro) is a short-distance service that operates on an inter-city rail network to connect major cities within a distance of around 100–250 km (62–155 mi). RCF Kapurthala, had rolled out the first Basic Unit (4 coaches) of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail in April 2024. This train is part of the 'Make in India' initiative by the Government of India and entered commercial service in September 2024.

## History
### Announcement

Following the success of the Vande Bharat Express in the medium-distance segment, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail as Vande Metro was first announced by then Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav in April 2023 as a short-distance version intended for regional travel.

### Trial runs

With the trainsets getting into the final stages, trial runs for the trainsets were scheduled for July 2024. These trials were to be focused on metropolitan cities, satellite cities, and large urban centres.
A successful trial run was conducted on 3 August 2024 which ran from Chennai's Villivakkam railway station and terminated at Katpadi Junction.
Another trial run was conducted on 8 September 2024 which ran from Ahmedabad railway station to Bhuj railway station. During the trial run, the train covered the distance in five hours, one and a half hours less than then-operational trains. During the trial, the train achieved a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).

### Entry into service

The first Ahmedabad-Bhuj train service started on 16 September 2024. It consists of 12 cars, covering a distance of 359 km (223 mi). The travel time is approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes, with a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) and an average speed of 63 km/h (39 mph).

## Rolling stock

The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is a self-propelled trainset akin to the Vande Bharat Express, eliminating the need for a separate locomotive. Designed to replace MEMU trains, its primary aim is to offer passengers faster and more comfortable travel options. With a maximum operational speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), it surpasses the current running MEMUs.
Each coach features lightweight, cushioned seats accommodating 100 seated passengers and space for 200 standing. It is fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern amenities, including sealed gangways for easy movement. It also has aluminium luggage racks, LCD displays for passenger information, automatic doors, mobile charging sockets, diffused lighting, route displays, and panoramic windows with roller blinds.
Safety features include the KAVACH anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, Emergency talk-back units, fire detection systems, and modular bio-vacuum toilets. Initially, the trainsets will consist of 12 to 16 coaches depending on route demand.

### Rake formation

Abbreviations:
DTC – Driving Trailer Coach; NDTC – Non-Driving Trailer Coach; MC – Motor Coach; MC2 – Motor Coach with electrical change-over switch; MC3 – 180° rotated MC2; TC – Trailer Coach having Pantograph
Rake Formation of 12 coach Namo Bharat Rapid Rail trainset :
| Coach No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Power Configuration | DTC | MC | TC | MC2 | NDTC | MC | TC | MC2 | MC3 | TC | MC | DTC |
| Basic Power Units | Unit 1 | Unit 1 | Unit 1 | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 2 | Unit 2 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 3 | Unit 3 | Unit 3 |
| Seating Capacity | 57 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 57 |
| Standing Capacity | 104 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 104 |

## Services
### Operational services

| S.No. | Service | Zone | Cars | Distance | Travel time | Speed | Speed | Inaugural run | Ref |
| S.No. | Service | Zone | Cars | Distance | Travel time | Maximum | Average | Inaugural run | Ref |
| 1 | Ahmedabad-Bhuj | WR | 12 | 359 km (223 mi) | 5h 40m | 110 km/h (68 mph) | 63 km/h (39 mph) | 16 September 2024 | |

### Proposed services

| S.No | Service | Service | Zone | Distance |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Central Line | CR | 180 km (110 mi) |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Harbour Line | CR | 66 km (41 mi) |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Trans-Harbour Line | CR | 38 km (24 mi) |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Port Line | CR | 26.7 km (16.6 mi) |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Vasai Road-Roha Line | CR | 100 km (62 mi) |
| 1 | Mumbai Suburban Railway | Western Line | WR | 123.78 km (76.91 mi) |
| 2 | Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur | Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur | NR | 72 km (45 mi) |
| 3 | Chennai–Tirupati | Chennai–Tirupati | SR | 147 km (91 mi) |
| 4 | Agra–Mathura | Agra–Mathura | NR | 54 km (34 mi) |
| 5 | Bhubaneswar–Balasore | Bhubaneswar–Balasore | ECoR | 206 km (128 mi) |
| 6 | Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam (Via Kottayam) | Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam (Via Kottayam) | SR | 205 km (127 mi) |
| 7 | Thrissur–Kozhikode | Thrissur–Kozhikode | SR | 120 km (75 mi) |
| 8 | Delhi–Rewari | Delhi–Rewari | NR | 82 km (51 mi) |
| 9 | Durg–Nagpur | Durg–Nagpur | SECR | 265 km |