Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Completes Its First Trial Run In Mumbai, Marking A Shift In Intercity Travel

Advancing intercity rail travel, the semi-fast 'Namo Bharat Rapid Rail'—formerly known as the Vande Metro—completed its first trial run in Mumbai on 4 November (Monday).

As per the Hindustan Times report, the train ran at a speed of 130 km/h, with plans for this new service to eventually replace existing intercity trains—on routes up to 250 km.

The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail may also link Mumbai and Surat, though final routes are still under consideration.

During the trial, a team from the Indian Railways’ Research, Design, and Standards Organisation (RDSO) was on site.

The coaches were equipped with specialised instruments to monitor vibrations, oscillations, and other key performance indicators.

The trial’s success will be evaluated based on the collected data.

The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail was officially launched in September. It currently runs at 110 km/h on the Ahmedabad-Bhuj route, covering the 360-km journey in 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Designed for intercity routes between 250 and 350 km, the new service aims to reduce travel times to an average of three to five hours.

This initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ broader plan to improve commuter experience. With many people commuting daily to large cities for work, business, and leisure, overcrowded and slow trains remain an issue.

Large-scale migration from surrounding towns and rural areas is also rising as people seek to settle near urban centres to avoid such commutes.

Reaching a maximum speed of 130 km/h, the Namo Bharat trains are faster than Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains but slower than Vande Bharat trains, which can achieve speeds of up to 180 km/h.

In line with expansion plans, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced the introduction of Namo Bharat trains in Bengaluru to enhance connectivity between the city and its surrounding towns.

As per reports, the government is preparing to launch these semi-high-speed services on routes between Bengaluru-Tumakuru and Bengaluru-Mysuru.