The Vande Bharat Express, produced by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) based in Chennai, boasts contemporary coaches, enhanced safety mechanisms, and various passenger facilities. In the fiscal year 2025-26, the train service experienced a remarkable year-on-year increase of nearly 34%, with passenger figures climbing from 2.97 crore in FY 2024-25 to approximately 3.98 crore.
Currently, there are 162 Vande Bharat Express trains operating across a multitude of routes throughout India.
The Ministry of Railways reported that since the service’s launch, over 9.1 crore passengers have utilized the Vande Bharat Express on more than 1 lakh journeys.
The inaugural Vande Bharat Express, which runs between New Delhi and Varanasi, has emerged as the most frequented, having welcomed over 73 lakh passengers since its introduction in February 2019.
Additionally, the New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route has catered to around 56 lakh passengers to date. Meanwhile, the Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam service has seen over 48 lakh passengers, and the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Central–Mysuru route has served more than 36 lakh travelers.
Anish Mondal, a journalist with a decade of experience in the transportation sector, currently contributes to the editorial team at Indianexpress.com, focusing on significant sectors within the industry.
Professional Background: Anish launched his career at Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he gained essential insights into legislative affairs and national governance. In 2018, he shifted to the field of digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, where he honed his skills in market analysis and corporate reporting for nearly six years. Prior to his role at The Indian Express in 2025, he played a significant part at ETNowNews.com.
Academic Credentials: Anish’s reporting is supported by a solid educational foundation in communication and the humanities, including a Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) from Apeejay Stya University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) from Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Honours from the University of Calcutta.
Coverage Focus: Anish specializes in the expansion of connectivity through comprehensive reporting on the growth of Indian Railways and the National Highway networks.
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