India's first indigenous semi-high speed train completed first year of its glorious service without cancellation of any trip. The first rake of New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat express was inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15 last year. 

The train started its commercial run from February 17, 2019 and responsibility of maintenance of train has since been proudly and successfully shouldered by the Delhi division of Northern Railway.

India's first semi high speed train, fondly called T- 18 and later officially christened as Vande Bharat Express was built by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai in October 2018.  The train is equipped with numerous technological initiatives and modern passenger amenities.

The semi-high speed Train 18, which has been recently rechristened Vande Bharat Express, can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph and has travel classes like the Shatabdi trains but with better facilities. It aims to provide a totally new travel experience to passengers.

It has 16 air-conditioned coaches of which two are executive class. The total seating capacity is 1,128 passengers. It is much more than the conventional Shatabdi rakes of equal number of coaches. All coaches are equipped with automatic doors, GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, on-board hotspot WiFi for entertainment purposes and very comfortable seating. All toilets are bio-vacuum type.

The lighting is dual mode that is diffused for general illumination and personal for every seat. Every coach has a pantry facility to serve hot meals and, hot and cold beverages. The insulation is meant to keep heat and noise to very low levels for additional passenger comfort.