Vande Bharat Express suffers glitch day after flag-off

In less than seven hours after completing its maiden run between Delhi and Varanasi, country's fastest train came to a screeching halt early on Saturday.

Vande Bharat Express, also called Train 18, suffered a breakdown around 5.30am after a bovine animal allegedly came on its way when it was cruising at nearly 130 kmph. The train was returning to Delhi after completing a special trip, without any passengers.

Railway officials on board the train said the incident occurred just as it was to cross Tundla station. "The train went over cattle which led to a glitch in its braking and power supply system," said an official from the Railway Board, the apex body of the national transporter.

The brakes in the last bogey of the 16-coach train jammed and there was no power in four coaches due to a minor short circuit. Train 18 left for Delhi at 8.15 am.

The engine-less semi-high speed train is scheduled to begin its commercial run on February 17. It will run at 160 kmph, though it is capable of touching speeds of up to 180-200 kmph.

Senior railway officials said that they are looking at this issue of lack of sturdy protection guard in front of Train 18 unlike that of an engine.