India's fastest Train 18 to run on tracks soon, know the fare cost

New Delhi: The much awaited India's semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express or Train 18, built under ‘Make in India’ initiative, is all set for its maiden journey on February 15. The train is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The fare tickets for this lightening speed train have been out and the train has two classes of tickets -- executive class and chair car -- and both will have differently priced meals, the sources said.

The air conditioned chair car ticket for a Delhi to Varanasi trip, including the catering service charges would cost Rs. 1,850, while, the executive class fare will be Rs. 3,520, according to officials.

On its return journey, the chair car ticket will cost Rs. 1,795 and the executive car ticket will be priced at Rs. 3,470, the official further said.

The chair car fares, however, are 1.5 times the price of Shatabdi trains running the same distance, the executive class fares are 1.4 times of first class air conditioned seating in the premium train.

Passengers travelling from New Delhi to Varanasi in the executive class will be charged Rs. 399 for morning tea, breakfast and lunch, travelers in the chair car will need to pay Rs. 344 for the same.

Those travelling from New Delhi to Kanpur and Prayagraj will have to pay Rs. 155 and Rs. 122 for executive class and chair car, respectively.

From Varanasi to New Delhi, the passengers will be charged Rs. 349 and Rs. 288 in the executive class and chair, respectively.

Train 18 is India's first engineless train and had, recently, hit speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Rajdhani route.

The train was built at the Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai in a span of 18 months.

The 16-coach train is said to replace the 30-year-old Shatabdi Express and will run between Delhi and Varanasi.

Piyush Goyel, the minister of Railways, took to his twitter account to announce the date of its inauguration:

The much awaited Vande Bharat Express is all set for its maiden journey on 15th Feb. All are welcome to witness its speed and record its inaugural run between New Delhi and Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/8KeAeRJ4fp

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 11, 2019

The Railway Minister, however, was trolled by Congress leaders for tweeting fast-forward video of the Train 18 and a original video of the same as claimed by Congress members was uploaded with the previously uploaded video.