New Delhi, February 17: Train 18, now called as Vande Bharat Express, left for Varanasi on Sunday on its first commercial run. Reports inform that the ticket of Vande Bharat Express, which has two classes of tickets- executive class and chair car, is completely booked and has a waiting list till February 24. The commercial run comes a day after the train came to a dead halt around 200 kilometres away from Delhi early on Saturday. Northern Railway CPRO Deepak Kumar informed that it was a case of cattle run over due to which there was some problem of wheels skidding. Vande Bharat Express Reports Problem of 'Skidding Wheels'.

On Saturday, Vande Bharat Express, touted to be India's semi-high speed train, broke down around 5.30 am on its return from Varanasi to Delhi. Reports inform that the train broke down about 194 km away from Delhi and 18 km away from Tundla railway station in Uttar Pradesh. Train 18 Fares: Vande Bharat Express Ticket Cost Slashed by Indian Railways a Day After Price Announcement.

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On the reports of breakdown, the spokesperson was quoted by reports saying that during the transportation back from Varanasi, it was stopped at Chamraula station as there was an issue of communication between the last basic unit of four coaches and the rest of the train, probably due to some external hit. "Thereafter, safety features in the train applied the brakes. The train was checked for faults and moved to Delhi," the official added. Facilities in Train 18: Passengers of Vande Bharat Express to Enjoy Muffins and Patties for Breakfast and Delicious Meals During Their Travel.

Vande Bharat Express Reports Problem of 'Skidding Wheels: 

To travel between New Delhi and Varanasi by Train 18, the passengers will have to shell out 30-40 per cent higher fare than they do for Shatabdi Express.

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A New Delhi-Varanasi journey by the indigenously built high-speed train would cost Rs 3,310 and Rs 1,760 for Executive Class (EC) and Chair Car (CC), respectively, inclusive of taxes. A Railway Ministry official was quoted by IANS saying, "The passengers travelling in the CC from New Delhi to Varanasi, covering a distance of 776 km, will have to shell out Rs 1,760, while for the same distance in the EC, they will have to pay Rs 3,310, including the catering charges."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 17, 2019 12:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).