The Vande Bharat Express is a high-speed train in India, known for its modern amenities and faster travel times. Currently, about 40 routes are operational across India. This article focuses on the Vande Bharat Express routes in Eastern India. Here's a breakdown of each route, including train numbers, departure times, arrival...
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times, days of operation, and key stops along the way: * **Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22347/22348):** Departs Patna at 8:00 AM, arrives Howrah at 2:35 PM. Operates daily except Wednesdays. * **Rourkela-Puri Vande Bharat Express (20835/20836):** Departs Puri at 5:00 AM, arrives Rourkela at 12:45 PM. Operates daily except Saturdays. * **Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (20898/20897):** Departs Ranchi at 6:00 AM, arrives Howrah at 1:10 PM. Travels 458 km in 7 hours. * **Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express (22349):** Departs Patna at 7:00 AM, arrives Ranchi at 1:00 PM. Operates daily except Tuesdays. * **New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati Vande Bharat Express (22227):** First Vande Bharat in Northeast India, started in May 2023. Departs New Jalpaiguri at 6:10 AM, arrives Guwahati at 11:40 AM. Operates daily except Tuesdays. * **Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express (22301/22302):** Departs Howrah at 5:55 PM, arrives New Jalpaiguri at 1:25 AM. Operates daily. * **Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express (22895/22896):** Departs Howrah at 6:10 AM, arrives Puri at 12:35 PM. Operates daily except Thursdays. * **Patna-Gomti Nagar Vande Bharat Express (22345/22346):** Departs Patna at 6:05 AM, arrives Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) at 2:20 PM. Operates daily. * **New Jalpaiguri-Patna Vande Bharat Express (22234):** Departs New Jalpaiguri at 5:15 AM, arrives Patna at 11:15 AM. Operates daily.

The Indian Railways is making arrangements for the upcoming Shravani Mela, which begins on July 22nd, to ensure a smooth journey for devotees. They've introduced special train services and extended stoppages at various stations to manage the anticipated influx of pilgrims. For the convenience of travelers, additional stoppages are being...
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provided at Sultan Ganj, Ara, and Buxar stations for select mail and express trains during the mela period. The Shravani Mela Special Trains (03113 & 03114) will have a 2-minute halt at Ara at 11:35 am and Buxar at 12:31 pm respectively. These trains will also stop at Buxar at 8:43 pm and Ara at 9:45 pm. All mail and express trains (except Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat Express, Duronto Express, Janshatabdi Express, Purva Express, Garib Rath Express, Humsafar Express) with a stop of less than 5 minutes at Jasidih station will have their stoppage extended to 5 minutes during the mela period.

On Friday, the Vande Bharat Express train traveling from Patna to Howrah was attacked with stones, resulting in damage to the train's windows. Thankfully, no passengers were injured. The incident occurred between Hathidah Junction and Barhiya Station in Mokama. This is not the first time the Vande Bharat Express has been...
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targeted in Bihar. In April, a similar incident occurred near Karwandia Station in Sasaram, and there have been other attacks in January and the previous year. The train, launched in September 2023, covers the 530 km distance between Patna and Howrah in just 6.5 hours, making it the fastest train on the route.

The Howrah-Patna railway line will now see trains running at a speed of 130 km/h. The Indian Railways has completed all necessary arrangements for this increase in speed, which will significantly reduce travel time for passengers. The railway tracks have been upgraded, and the weight of the rails has been increased...
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to support the higher speed. This speed increase will apply to trains traveling between Patna and Howrah. The speed increase is specifically for the Sitamarampur-Jhajha section of the Asansol division of the Eastern Railway. Previously, the speed limit on this section was 110 km/h. The tracks between Sitamarampur-Howrah and Jhajha-Patna have been upgraded to accommodate the higher speed. Railway workers have been working on this section for the past two years to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the speed increase. The Asansol PRO confirmed that the tracks have been upgraded and trains will operate at 130 km/h after approval from senior officials. Senior officials have already conducted multiple trial runs on the section using a special train. On Monday, the Asansol Divisional Manager, Chetananand Singh, inspected the safety of the route with senior officials aboard the 22348 Patna-Vande Bharat Express. The increased speed will reduce travel time to stations like Howrah, Kolkata, Bardhaman, and Asansol. The railway tracks have undergone significant repairs over the past two years. The weight of the rails has been increased from 52 kg per meter to 60 kg per meter. The replacement of rails was completed quickly by railway workers. Additionally, the replacement of girders on all bridges along the route was completed in a timely manner. The railway conducted mega blocks to replace the girders on bridges dating back to the British era. On January 28th and February 11th, the girder of the railway bridge over the Badua River near Simultola station was replaced during a mega block. The Sitamarampur-Jhajha section contains 37 subways, which are being converted to underground passages. On March 3rd, the LHS (Limited Height Subway) gate number 31, kilometer number 326/25-27 between Jasidih-Tulsiatand stations was replaced during a block. On the same day, the LHS gate number 33, kilometer number 336/23-25 between Tulsiatand-Lahaban railway stations was also scheduled for conversion to an underground passage, but this was not possible due to technical issues. This gate was eventually converted on March 17th along with the conversion of the Rajla gate number 37, kilometer number 361/10-12. The Simultola gate is also scheduled for conversion, and the tender for this work has already been finalized.

On Monday, Chetananand Singh, the Divisional Railway Manager, conducted a safety inspection between Jhajha and Jamtara as part of the ongoing safety drive initiated by the Indian Railways. The inspection, which included a review of the 22348 Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express, focused on assessing track maintenance, signaling systems, safety procedures, and...
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the overall condition of level crossings. The team also evaluated the preparedness and efficiency of on-duty staff. The inspection aimed to ensure high safety standards and maintain the reliability of railway operations. Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety standards and encouraged employees to continue their efforts in enhancing railway safety and efficiency. The inspection was part of the ongoing efforts by the Asansol Division to maintain the highest standards of safety and service in railway operations.