High-speed ride from Ferozepur to Delhi catches fancy of commuters

It was barely past dawn when the Ferozepur railway station came alive like a wedding venue. Fairy lights shimmered across the platform, marigold garlands draped the pillars and a buzz of anticipation filled the air.

By 6.30 a.m., hundreds had gathered, including senior citizens, schoolchildren, traders, railway staff, and curious residents who came only to see the train they’d heard so much about.

As the sleek blue-and-white Vande Bharat Express stood gleaming under the station lights, mobile cameras flashed, laughter echoed and the platform turned festive.

When the whistle finally blew, marking the train’s inaugural run to Delhi, cheers erupted. A few passengers waved the Tricolour, others broke into spontaneous dance.

I walked through the coaches soon after the train rolled out of Ferozepur. Inside, the excitement was palpable. People chatting animatedly, some filming every turn of the journey, others just smiling quietly, soaking in the moment.

One coach stood apart — the one carrying 23 members of the Senior Citizen Council.

Within minutes of the departure, the space turned into a dance floor. Retro Bollywood songs like “Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri” played on a portable speaker, and the passengers, many in their sixties and seventies, clapped and danced in rhythm.

“This is a wonderful gift to Ferozepur,” said PD Sharma, chairman of the council, pausing between laughs.

“Travelling to Delhi will now be so much easier. Earlier, the Punjab Mail took eight hours, now we’ll reach in nearly six and a half.”

Among the dancers were Gurcharan Singh Sethi and Ram Chandra Bindra. “The comfort is unmatched,” Bindra said, still tapping his feet.

At the heart of this dance celebration was Shashi Chugh, who moved gracefully to every tune, her dupatta flowing as fellow passengers clapped in encouragement. “We may be senior citizens, but our energy is the youngest on this train,” she said.

In another corner of the station earlier that morning, Sarita Agarwal and her son Diwakar waited eagerly for the train’s arrival. “We usually take the Punjab Mail, which takes almost eight hours,” she said.

“Now we can go and return the same day, it’s perfect for short trips to Delhi.”

Among the passengers was Harkesh Meena, a train loco pilot from Rajasthan who had just arrived in Ferozepur driving a train and was now seeing off his 70-year-old mother, Laddo Devi who lives in Ferozepur.

“My mother has always dreamt of seeing Delhi,” he said. “With this train, she can go easily.” For Laddo Devi, waiting to board, the journey was not just a ride but the fulfilment of a long-kept wish.

The new service has also raised hopes among the business community.

Sushil Bhatnagar, a traveller on board from Bathinda, called it a “boon for both the middle class and Vyapar Mandal.”

“Bathinda to Delhi in just over five hours, business will surely pick up speed,” he said.

Interestingly, not everyone boarded for the full journey. Akashdeep and Vikram, two 18-year-old students, came just to “see the Vande Bharat in action”.

“We’ll get off after a few stops,” Akashdeep said, grinning. “But we wanted to experience the first ride.”

Even the railway staff shared in the excitement. RD Meena, the train manager, called it a “moment of pride” to serve on Punjab’s fastest train.

“Each coach seats 72 passengers,” he said, walking briskly through the aisle.

“There are eight coaches now, but the capacity can go up to twenty. The enthusiasm today is unmatched, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

At every stop, Bathinda, Patiala and Ambala, the scene repeated itself. Crowds thronged platforms, phones in hand, waving to passengers and recording the train’s arrival.

For many onboard, it wasn’t just a faster way to travel, it was a symbol of Punjab stepping into a new era of connectivity.

Crucial for state’s biggest region Malwa, says Bittu

Interacting with reporters onboard the train, Bittu called it crucial for connecting the state’s border belt to the national capital. “This is the largest area of Punjab, Malwa. Out of 117 Vidhan Sabhas, 69 are in Malwa. This is our first Vande Bharat for the region,” Bittu said.

The minister said the high-speed train, which can run up to 160 kmph, would improve mobility for professionals and traders. “Whether they are doctors, engineers or businessmen, people can now reach Delhi easily. It will also support tourism and business,” he said.