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India’s longest freight train, Super Vasuki, has 295 wagons and 6 engines. It hauls 27,000 tonnes of coal, enough to power a 3,000 MW plant for one full day
Specially designed to transport coal, the freight train has a staggering 295 wagons and is pulled by six engines. (AI Generated)
Train travel is not just a popular mode of transport in India, but it also plays a vital role in freight movement. From local shuttle services to modern trains like the Vande Bharat Express, the Indian Railways network is vast and diverse. But do you know which is the longest train in India and where it runs?
Not Vande Bharat or Rajdhani; instead, Super Vasuki holds the title of the longest train in India. Specially designed to transport coal, this freight train has a staggering 295 wagons and is pulled by six engines.
A 3.5-Kilometre Giant
The total length of Super Vasuki is approximately 3.5 kilometres, including its engines. The Indian Railways launched this massive freight train on 15 August 2022, marking the 75th anniversary of India’s independence under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Super Vasuki has been developed with the specific purpose of ensuring a steady coal supply to power plants. It can carry 27,000 tonnes of coal in one go, enough to power a 3,000 MW thermal power plant for a day.
Route And Journey
Super Vasuki operates on the Korba (Chhattisgarh) to Rajnandgaon (Maharashtra) route, covering a distance of 267 km. This mega train was formed by combining five standard freight trains. It completes the journey in about 11 hours and 20 minutes.
When Super Vasuki passes through a railway station, it takes almost 4 minutes to cross due to its sheer length. If a person begins counting the coaches from one end of the train and walks to the other end, it would take them nearly an hour. Its carrying capacity is three times more than a regular freight train, making it a remarkable feat of engineering.
What’s Behind The Name
The name ‘Vasuki’ comes from Hindu mythology. Vasuki is a Nagaraj (serpent king) and a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. He was used as a rope in the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). The name represents patience, strength, and vastness, qualities that define this gigantic train.
- Location :
Korba, India, India
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