In an embarrassment for India’s railway system, the country’s fastest train has broken down on its first trip, with reports of brake problems and suggestions the train hit a cow on the line – a day after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Investigations continue into whether the train struck a cow or just experienced brake failure. Whatever the cause, the Indian-built “semi-high-speed” Vande Bharat Express (also known as Train 18) certainly ran into a major hitch while returning to the capital Delhi.
The train (which reached speeds of 180km/h during trials) was speeding back from the city of Varanasi – once known as Benares and famed for its cremation ghats – when brakes in a carriage jammed, the BBC reported.
Brake failure was followed by smoke billowing into the last four carriages, triggering a complete power cut in all compartments. Dignitaries, railway officials and media aboard had to take another train back to Delhi.
Indian media quoted a railway spokesperson as saying the train may have struck cattle on the line, but observers cast doubt on this, saying the front of the train appeared undamaged.
The new train service is due to start commercial operations this week. Indian Railways plans to run 100 more Vande Bharat Express trains, once teething problems are ironed out. Vande Bharat Express is expected to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Varanasi by six hours.
Written by Peter Needham
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