Vande Metro train completes first trial run from Ahmedabad to Mumbai

11 Nov 2024 CW Team

The Vande Metro Train, part of the high-speed rail project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, successfully completed its first trial run earlier this week, reaching speeds of 130 km/h. The trial, which was closely monitored by the Railway Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), covered the distance between the two cities, passing through Surat.

Inspired by the Vande Bharat train, the Vande Metro is designed for faster intercity travel with features like fully air-conditioned coaches, CCTV surveillance, a talk-back system, and passenger information boards. It boasts 12 coaches with a total of 1,150 ergonomically designed seats.

One of the key highlights of the Vande Metro is its ability to accelerate and decelerate quickly, allowing it to reduce travel times on mid-distance routes. It is expected to serve routes between 250 and 350 km, with travel times of 3 to 5 hours.

The trial run is a significant step towards launching this intercity rail service, which aims to provide a modern and efficient transport option between major cities.

Real Estate

30 May 2026

Hafele Installs Tallest Movable Wall In Goa

Hafele India has delivered the world’s tallest movable wall at the ONGC Convention & Exhibition Centre in Goa. The installation stands 22 metres high and spans 48.1 metres in width, marking a major engineering milestone for large-format convention spaces.The movable wall has been designed to support flexible space configuration and offers 57 dB sound insulation for improved acoustic performance. Built with 1,500 mm wide panels, the system enables smooth movement and seamless functionality across large spans.Frank Schloeder, Managing Director, Hafele South Asia, said the project reflects ..

Listed Developers’ Pre-Sales Rise 18 Per Cent

The combined pre-sales revenue of India’s top 11 listed real estate developers rose 18 per cent to over Rs 1.48 lakh crore in FY26 from nearly Rs 1.26 lakh crore in FY25, according to ANAROCK Research.The analysis covered Godrej Properties, Prestige Estates, DLF, Lodha, Signature Global, Brigade Enterprises, Puravankara, Oberoi Realty, Kolte-Patil, Keystone and Sobha. Developers with stronger exposure to premium and luxury housing recorded higher growth, led by Prestige Estates at 76 per cent, followed by Puravankara at 48 per cent, Keystone at 33 per cent and Sobha at 30 per cent.ANAROCK sa..

Autodesk To Acquire MaintainX For $3.6 Billion

Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MaintainX, a maintenance and asset operations software company, in a deal valued at $3.6 billion. The acquisition will be funded through cash on hand and debt financing and is expected to close later this fiscal year.MaintainX is projected to exceed $135 million in annualised recurring revenue in 2026. Its mobile-first platform helps organisations manage assets, coordinate frontline workflows and track real-world operational data across global operations.Autodesk said the acquisition will support its broader move into connected operations b..