New Name, Same Fate? Train 18-Turned- Vande Bharat Express Vandalised Again, Reveals Video

The recently rebranded Vande Bharat Express (formerly Train 18) has reportedly been vandalised for the second time in two months. A video released by Aaj Tak shows one of the windows in the coach of the Integral Coach Factory-manufactured (ICF) train being damaged.

According to the video, the train, which is meant to replace the Shatabdi Express soon, was vandalised while it was being towed from the Shakurabasati workshop to New Delhi station for time trials. The window is seen to be patched up temporarily so that the train can continue with the trials.

Train-18 was renamed Vande Bharat Express recently. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had said that the rebranding was done upon suggestions from the public. In December 2018, miscreants had thrown stones at one of the train’s windows, causing it to break just before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The General Manager of ICF, Sudhanshu Mani, had also confirmed the act of vandalism.