The Vande Bharat Express, India’s largest national transporter, has ceased operations on its Nagpur to Bilaspur route, as the high-speed train faced dwindling passenger numbers and criticism over its expensive fare structure.
In response, the Indian Railways has replaced the Vande Bharat Express with the Tejas Express on this particular route.
According to a report from a local news website, the cancellation of the semi high-speed Vande Bharat Express was necessitated by a significant shortage of passengers.
A government notification stated that the train’s rake (set of coaches) has been reassigned to the Tirupati-Secunderabad route.
Notably, the Nagpur-Bilaspur route of the Vande Bharat Express had the lowest occupancy among all 15 routes inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
The report highlights that the Vande Bharat Express, which was initially launched as the fastest train in India, will be replaced by the Tejas Express. Both trains will operate on the same route with comparable travel times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express in December 2022. Experts attribute the low passenger load to the high fare prices of the Vande Bharat Express.
On the Bilaspur-Nagpur route, an executive class ticket on the Vande Bharat Express cost Rs 2,045, while an AC chair car ticket was priced at Rs 1,075 per person.
In contrast, the Tejas Express, introduced in 2017 as India’s first corporate train operated by IRCTC, offered luxurious amenities such as LED TVs, WiFi, and CCTV surveillance.
The decision to discontinue the Vande Bharat Express on the Nagpur-Bilaspur route reflects the Indian Railways’ responsiveness to passenger demand and the need for more affordable options.
As the Tejas Express takes over, it aims to provide a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers while addressing the concerns regarding fare affordability.
The Indian Railways’ focus remains on providing accessible and convenient transportation options to the public, and this course correction ensures that travelers on the Nagpur-Bilaspur route can continue to enjoy a high-quality train journey without the burden of excessive fares.
