India’s latest Vande Bharat Express, running between Patliputra (Patna) and Gorakhpur, has set an unenviable record as the slowest train in its fleet. Despite a 384 km route, completion time is a sluggish seven hours—averaging just 54 km/h, barely surpassing many standard passenger services. Flagged off on 20 June 2025, the semi-high-speed train was expected to revolutionise regional connectivity.
Instead, it has delivered underwhelming performance: slower than the previous lowest Vande Bharat, the Mumbai–Shirdi service, which averaged around 64 km/h . Despite premium pricing—₹925 for AC Chair Car and ₹1,820 for Executive Class—the service is drawing less than 50% occupancy—an indication that even corporate travellers see better value elsewhere. Competing services underscore the challenge. The Patliputra–Lucknow Express completes the journey in just 4 hours 55 minutes at ₹520—nearly two hours faster and at nearly half the fare. Meanwhile, local travellers bound for Hajipur or Muzaffarpur often bypass the Vande Bharat for more affordable alternatives departing minutes later
The discrepancy between Vande Bharat’s design and on-ground performance is symptomatic of broader rail infrastructure limitations. While the train is built for speeds up to 160 km/h, average fleet speeds have fallen: from 84 km/h in 2020–21 to 76 km/h by 2023–24. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cited incomplete track upgrades, terrain restrictions, and extensive infrastructure works as roadblocks to achieving higher speeds. On the Gorakhpur–Patliputra corridor, capacity constraints—sharp curves, level crossings, station halts, and poor signalling—limit potential gains. Reddit users have criticised the service as a “vanity project” with inadequate route readiness .
The mismatch between fare and performance is drawing ire. Regular commuters recognise the Vande Bharat’s amenities—comfort, onboard Wi‑Fi, faster acceleration—but question its value given long travel time. With fares over 70% higher than the nearest express train and journey times stretched to seven hours, uptake remains tepid . This unease highlights two vital issues: discerning premium customers demand commensurate service quality, and passengers prioritise time and cost over branding. Without material gains, prestige alone won’t sustain ridership.
For India’s flagship trains to fulfil their promise of elevating rail travel, infrastructure must catch up. Prioritised track renewals, elimination of bottlenecks, enhanced signalling, and strategic scheduling are essential to realise Vande Bharat’s speed potential . Corridor assessment must precede deployment to ensure routes can sustain high-speed travel while offering genuine time advantage. Given its weak performance, the Gorakhpur–Patliputra Vande Bharat risks tarnishing the brand instead of boosting regional connectivity. If not rectified, it may be relegated to novelty status and reduced to coach configurations or timetable adjustments, as some Reddit users suggested .
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