Trial run of Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express commences

The trial run of the Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express had commenced from Patna on Monday. It was mentioned by Birendra Kumar, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway (ECR) zone, Hajipur, that the train departed from the capital of Bihar, Patna, at 6.55 am and was scheduled to reach the capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi, at 1 pm. As for the return journey, the train was set to leave Ranchi at 2.20 pm and arrive in Patna at 8.25 pm. It was further stated that the train would pass through tunnels and railway bridges located between Sidhwar (Ramgarh) and Sanki (Ranchi). Additionally, it would make halts at Gaya and Barkakana stations. Among the 27-km stretch between Sidhwar and Sanki, there were four tunnels, with the longest one measuring 1.7 km and the remaining three approximately 600 metres each. Initially, the trial run was scheduled for June 11, but it was rescheduled to Monday due to a two-day state bandh organised by a student group in Jharkhand. Further trial runs would be conducted between Barkakana and Ranchi. In December last year, the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) in Kolkata had performed a safety inspection and speed trial on the 27-km stretch between Sidhwar and Sanki. After granting approval, the new route between Koderma and Ranchi via Barkakana was authorised to be operational. Also read: Railways makes Rs 146.42 billion from May freight loading Merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways gains Public Support