A trial run of the Vande Bharat train was conducted between Chennai and Coimbatore on Thursday. The train reached Coimbatore in five hours and 38 minutes, well ahead of its scheduled time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to launch the Vande Bharat train service between Chennai and Coimbatore on April 8.
The train left Chennai at 5.40am. It was scheduled to reach Coimbatore at 11.40am. However, it reached Coimbatore at 11.18am. Its return journey to Chennai started at 12.24pm.
Officials led by Salem Divisional Railway manager Pankaj Kumar Sinha travelled on the train.
Talking to reporters, he said that the trial run was carried out successfully with the train reaching its destination well in advance at 11.18am. The train had eight coaches including one executive coach. There were a total of 536 seats in the eight coaches. The timings of the train would be finalized soon and communicated to all, he said.
A group of railfans gathered at the railway junction and took photos and selfies.
Former member of divisional railway users’ consultative committee and director of Kongu Global Forum J Sathish said that Vande Bharat train was one of the demands put up by the forum. “We feel happy that one of our demands has been fulfilled,” he said.
He demanded a Vande Bharat train from Thiruvananthapuram to Coimbatore via Tirunelveli, Madurai and Palani.
“More connectivity is required for an industrial city like Coimbatore for its development. Train connectivity should be available for all sections of people. Those who use flights too should be able to use trains. We want more connectivity to places such as Bengaluru and southern districts of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
