New Delhi, February 18: Vande Bharat Express, India’s first semi high-speed train began its first commercial run from New Delhi to Varanasi on Sunday as per schedule. However, the high-speed train arrived at Varanasi station 1 hour and 25 minutes late than the scheduled time due to fog and low visibility, a report by Hindustan Times informed. The report further stated that on Sunday, the train reached the Varanasi Cantonment station at 3.25 pm instead of its scheduled arrival at 2 pm and then left for New Delhi at 4.25 pm on its return commercial journey.

The train had left for Varanasi from the New Delhi Railway Station at 6 a.m. on February 17, a day after it suffered a break down while on its way to Delhi from Varanasi. Train 18 Fares: Vande Bharat Express Ticket Cost Slashed by Indian Railways a Day After Price Announcement.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a tweet, said, "Vande Bharat Express left Delhi for Varanasi today morning on its first commercial run. Tickets sold out for the next two weeks already. Get yours today!" Train 18, now called as Vande Bharat Express is manufactured by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Vande Bharat Express Leaves for Varanasi, Tickets for Next Two Weeks Already Sold Out.

On February 15, Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the New Delhi railway station. The train can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph and is believed to travel from Delhi to Varanasi in 9 hours and 45 minutes. This includes stoppage time of 40 minutes each at Kanpur and Allahabad. Vande Bharat Express Reports Problem of 'Skidding Wheels'.

On Saturday, a day before its commercial run, the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Varanasi, suffered a major break down at Chamraula, 194 km from New Delhi on its empty return journey to Delhi. The train was stuck for more than three hours. According to railways, the incident took place due to communication failure and 'skidding wheels', apparently due to a cattle run over on the tracks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 18, 2019 11:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).