Vande Bharat Metro renamed Namo, Railways' birthday gift to Modi?

India’s first Vande Metro service is being renamed as ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail,’ apparently in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose name is often shortened into NaMo by his admirers.

Mr Modi will flag off virtually India's first Vande Bharat Metro or ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’ between Bhuj and Ahmedabad on September 16 evening from the Bhuj train station. The service will be open to the public from September 17, the Prime Minister's birthday, with its first run from the Bhuj train station. 

Mr Modi, who was born on September 17, 1950, will turn 74 on Tuesday.  

Top speed 110 km/h, ticket price Rs 455 

The Ahmedabad-Bhuj Namo Metro service will stop at nine stations and cover the 360-kilometre distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes at a top speed of 110 km an hour. The train will halt at Sabarmati, Chandiodiya, Viramgam, Dhrangadhra, Halvad, Samakhiali, Bhachau, Gandhidham and Anjar stations in both directions. The service aims to enhance intercity connectivity. The ticket price is ₹455.

With two comfortable coaches, the trian will seat 1,150 passengers. "With ergonomically designed seats, fully air-conditioned cabins and modular interiors, it definitely proves to be superior to other metros," a Railway Ministry statement said.

Apart from the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, the Prime Minister will also flag off Vande Bharat express trains on several routes including Kolhapur-Pune, Pune-Hubballi, Nagpur-Secunderabad, Agra Cantt to Banaras, and Durg to Visakhapatnam. 

(By arrangement with livemint.com)