Overview
- Testing and certification are complete after a CRS‑supervised high‑speed trial on the Kota–Nagda section that touched 180 km/h and included a widely shared water‑glass stability demo.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first service in the coming days, with a launch window indicated at roughly 15–20 days and the exact date pending.
- Provisional one‑way fares on the Guwahati–Howrah run are about ₹2,300 for 3AC, ₹3,000 for 2AC and ₹3,600 for 1AC, positioned below typical airfares on the route.
- The 16‑coach rake comprises 11 AC three‑tier, 4 AC two‑tier and 1 AC first‑class coach, featuring KAVACH, regenerative braking, automatic plug doors, bio‑vacuum toilets, CCTV and digital passenger information displays.
- Officials outlined a phased rollout with around 12 sleeper sets targeted this year and broader expansion thereafter, noting that commercial speeds will depend on route infrastructure and clearances.