11 February,2023 08:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Pandey
Yashwant Thackrey, 91, during the inaugural run of Vande Bharat Express train from CSMT to Shirdi; (right) Diwakar Mishra with wife and daughter
I am 91 and lucky that I got a chance to travel on the Vande Bharat train. It shows that our country is progressing. The journey is short and comfortable for senior citizens, too," said Yashwant Thackrey, during the inaugural run of Vande Bharat Express train from CSMT to Shirdi.
He, however, appealed to the "railways and the prime minister to reduce the fare, so that even a common man can avail of the services. It should be reduced by at least Rs 200-Rs 300,"
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from CSMT station, one to Solapur and the other to Sainagar Shirdi. With the addition of these two, the country now has 10 Vande Bharat Express trains.
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Another traveller, Sarika Suryavanshi, said, "I'm very happy with the travel experience. The arrangement and services are good. It is nice and comfortable compared to other trains. I want to appeal to the travellers that the government has given us the train so it is now our responsibility to keep it clean and act responsibly."
Diwakar Mishra, 30, who was travelling with his wife and 11-month-old daughter, told mid-day, "It was a good experience, as the large glass windows allow a clear view of the scenic ghats. If travellers get food and tickets for Rs 900, why won't they travel in Vande Bharat trains."
During the inaugural run, the train touched the speed of 110 kmph.
The Shirdi train will leave at 6.20 am and reach the destination at 11.40 am, while the return journey will start at 5.25 pm and end at 10.50 pm. The semi-high-speed train has reduced the journey on the route by 90 minutes. Usually, it takes around 6.5 hours.
It will stop at Dadar, Thane and Nashik Road while covering a distance of 343 km in 5 hours and 20 minutes. It won't run on Tuesdays.
On this route, the train will leave Solapur at 6.05 am daily, except Thursday, and reach CSMT at 12.35 pm. The journey from CSMT will start at 4.05 pm and end at 10.40 pm at the destination station. It will cover a distance of 455 km in 6 hours 30 minutes, stopping at Dadar, Kalyan, Pune and Kurduvadi.
The current superfast train takes 7 hours and 55 minutes.
Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express train will leave Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 06.20 am daily and reach Sainagar Shirdi at 11.40 am. In return direction it will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 05.25 pm daily except Tuesday to reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 10.50 pm.
The Vande Bharat Express trains are equipped with lavish bathrooms with bio toilets, hand dryers and automatic soap dispenser. However, the soap dispenser was found to be out of order on the Shirdi train.
