Patna/Ranchi: The trial run of much-awaited Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat express on June 12 has courted a major controversy after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) from Hazaribagh Jayant Sinha took a ride from Hazaribagh to Barkakana in breach of the standard operating procedure (SOP).
As per the SOP, only loco drivers and authorised technical persons were allowed entry inside the semi high speed train during its trial run, which was completed 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled duration from Patna to Ranchi. Similarly, the train returned to Patna from Ranchi before 15 minutes of the time, said a senior officer of the east central railway (ECR) zone.
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The train also reportedly ran over two cattle head during the trial run. However, there was no significant damage to the train after the accident, said a railway officer.
Craze of Vande Bharat shown from Patna to Ranchi
During the trial run, Vande Bharat Express from Patna to Ranchi evoked tremendous craze among the people. This train left for Ranchi on Monday morning at 6.55 am from Patna Junction, as per the scheduled released a month ago. A huge crowd of travellers had turned up at the station to see the train, and many of them took selfies with it. The train was supposed to reach Ranchi at 1 pm, but it reached 20 minutes before the scheduled time. In return, the train reached Patna Junction at 8:10 pm, 15 minutes ahead of time.
Ranchi platform barricaded to manage crowd
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) had increased security at Ranchi railway station in keeping with safety and security concerns of Vande Bharat express during the trial. Even journalists were barred from entering the compartments. However, after the arrival of the train, they were allowed to go inside.
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Controversy over Jayant Sinha’s ride
Many noted personalities and senior railway officers have questioned the journey of BJP MP Jayant Sinha during the trial run of the train. Railway officials told on the condition of anonymity that MPs cannot travel in the trial run. “No one dared to stop him because of the MP of the ruling party,” said a senior ECR officer.
Sinha, however, on his party clarified that he had taken permission from the railway officials before taking on the train. However, a senior Jharkhand Congress leader Alok Kumar Dubey said that it was serious security breach. “The law shall be equal for one and all. Sinha has been a Union minister and he should abide by the rule,” said Dubey.
Stoppage at six stations
As scheduled, Vande Bharat will stop at 6 stations between Patna and Ranchi. The train during its trial run had halt at Jehanabad, Gaya, Koderma, Barkakana, Hazaribagh, Mesra. However, stoppage time has been fixed for Gaya and Barkakana junctions during the initial run. The stoppage time at the remaining four stations is to be decided, said a railway official at Ranchi station.
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Vande Bharat to take 6:05 hour to cover destinations
The train was piloted by specially trained loco drivers of Danapur railway division. Technical staff of the division, who monitored stats of the trial run, said that the train will normally take 6 hours and 5 minutes to complete the journey from Patna to Ranchi and return.
Vande Bharat express started from Patna junction at 6.55 am on Monday morning for the trial run. Then reached Gaya in 8.20. Barkakana halted at 11.30 am after a halt of 10 minutes. After stopping here for 5 minutes, the train moved ahead. Reached Ranchi at 12.40 pm. Then it will leave Ranchi for Patna at 2:20 pm and reach back to Patna Jn via Barkakana, Gaya at 8:25 pm.
Date of inaugural run yet to be decided
When will the regular start of this new train between Patna to Ranchi? The date for this has not yet been announced by the ministry of railways. Only the schedule for the trial run was announced.
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Earlier, the ECR had decided June 11 as the date for the trial run, but after a few hours the date for the trial run was changed in view of Jharkhand bandh called by some students outfits.
Waiting for Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat to run
Vande Bharat Express is awaited to run regularly between Patna-Ranchi. This semi high speed train is to be started in this month itself. However, the date of its inauguration has not been decided yet. According to ECR officials, Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat express will be inaugurated after regular running of Mumbai-Goa edition of the train. Inauguration of Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat express was deferred due to the train accident in Odisha
