Vande Bharat Express Faces Significant Delay in Mumbai Departure
The Central Railway's Mumbai–Nanded Vande Bharat Express experienced a substantial delay of nearly an hour and a half on Tuesday afternoon, departing well behind its scheduled time. This incident adds to recent concerns over punctuality issues affecting key train services across the network.
Schedule Disruption Details
The train was slated to leave Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai at 1:10 PM but eventually departed at 2:30 PM, marking an 80-minute delay. Railway authorities have pointed to operational challenges as the primary cause for this setback.
Official Explanation for the Delay
A railway official from the South Central Railway (SCR) provided insight into the situation. "To maximize utility, one rake is utilized for opposite direction journeys of the Nanded–CSMT Mumbai–Nanded Vande Bharat Express. The unavailability of the rake for the Mumbai to Nanded journey was attributed to maintenance and cleanliness procedures, among other factors, by local staff," the official stated. This highlights logistical hurdles in managing premium train services efficiently.
Concerns Over Premium Service Punctuality
Railway activist Raj Somani emphasized the critical need for reliability in high-end train operations. He stressed that the punctuality of premium services must be ensured under all circumstances, reflecting growing public and expert scrutiny over such delays. The Vande Bharat Express, known for its modern amenities and speed, is expected to maintain strict timeliness to uphold its reputation and passenger trust.
This delay underscores ongoing challenges in railway management, particularly for flagship trains, and calls for enhanced operational strategies to prevent future occurrences.
