Viral video shows Vande Bharat Express pulled by old electric engine, here is the reason

Hyderabad: A video making rounds on social media has sparked debates about the functionality of the Vande Bharat Express. The footage captures the semi-high-speed train being pulled by an outdated electric engine, raising concerns among netizens and catching the attention of national leaders on Twitter. Congress leader Krishna Allavaru took a dig at the government, drawing a parallel between the ancient locomotive and the party's rule in India. In his tweet, Allavaru stated, "The history of 70 years drags the lies of the last 9 years," accompanied by the viral video of the Vande Bharat Express. The incident, recorded by Shashank Jaiswal on June 22 near Uttar Pradesh's Sakaldiha railway station, shows the train en route from Patna to Chennai's Integral Coach Factory, being propelled by a WAG-9 class engine due to the absence of crew members on board. Prompted by the viral video, railway authorities addressed the situation, clarifying that during the initial stages of adding a train to the rails, it is pulled by a separate engine until its designated route is determined. Once the route is finalized, the train is solely operated by its designated loco pilot and crew. These trials involve a driver familiar with the prescribed route, ensuring safety and smooth operation.