MGR Chennai Central–Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express

The 20677/20678 MGR Chennai Central - Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express is India's 27th Vande Bharat Express train, connecting the city of Chennai city in Tamil Nadu with Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. This train was inaugurated on 24 September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference from New Delhi.[1]

MGR Chennai Central - Vijayawada Junction Vande Bharat Express
This Mini VB Express train standing at MGR Chennai Central & heading towards Vijayawada Junction
Overview
Service typeVande Bharat Express
LocaleTamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
First service24 September 2023 (24 September 2023) (Inaugural run)
25 September 2023; 13 months ago (25 September 2023) (Commercial run)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway (SR)
Route
TerminiMGR Chennai Central (MAS)
Vijayawada Junction (BZA)
Stops4
Distance travelled514 km (319 mi)
Average journey time06 hrs 40 mins
Service frequencySix days a week [a]
Train number(s)20677 / 20678
Line(s) used
On-board services
Class(es)AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car
Seating arrangements
  • Airline style
  • Rotatable seats
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesE Catering services, On board Catering
Observation facilitiesLarge windows in all coaches
Entertainment facilities
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Other facilitiesKavach
Technical
Rolling stockMini Vande Bharat 2.0
Track gaugeIndian gauge
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line
Operating speed77 km/h (48 mph) (Avg.)
Average length192 metres (630 ft) (08 coaches)
Track owner(s)Indian Railways
Rake maintenanceBasin Bridge Junction (BBQ)

Overview

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This train is operated by Indian Railways, connecting MGR Chennai Central, Renigunta Jn, Nellore, Ongole, Tenali Jn and Vijayawada Jn. It is currently operated with train numbers 20677/20678 on 6 days a week basis.

Rakes

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It is the twenty-fifth 2nd Generation and thirteenth Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train[broken anchor] which was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India Initiative.[2]

Service

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The 20677/20678 MGR Chennai Central - Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express operates 6 days a week, covering a distance of 514 km (319 mi) in a travel time of 6 hrs 40 mins with an average speed of 77 km/h (48 mph). The Maximum Permissible Speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Except Tuesdays

References

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  1. ^ Srinivas, Rajulapudi (20 September 2023). "Vijayawada-Chennai Vande Bharat train to be flagged off on September 24". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.