India's first locally built high speed train has broken down on its first trip, a day after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key points: The Vande Bharat Express is India's first locally built high speed train

The Vande Bharat Express is India's first locally built high speed train The train can travel at a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour

The train can travel at a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour India's Railway Minister has ordered 100 more units

The Vande Bharat Express was travelling back from Varanasi in northern Uttar Pradesh when it broke down about 200 kilometres from New Delhi. It resumed its journey after two hours before coming to a halt again.

The train had to be brought to Delhi to fix the fault.

Indian media quoted a railways spokesperson as saying the train may have struck cattle on the line, but there were no signs of damage on the front of the train.

Staff on board the train said there were thumping noises when the train's speed was increased and that the fault had led to the control failures of the air-conditioners.

Narendra Modi waves to passengers on the Vande Bharat Express. ( Reuters: Adnan Abidi )

The Vande Bharat Express is an engine-less train and can travel up to a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour.

It had all safety clearances, trials and tests in place and had covered a distance of 7,000 kilometres in its three trial runs.

On Friday, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said he was "encouraged by the positive feedback" received about the train and had decided to order 100 more of them.

Reuters/ABC