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Indian Railways reduces Vande Bharat orders, introduces 24-coach sets
Industry News- Aug 20,24
The manufacturing will be handled by Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint venture between India’s RVNL, Russian engineering firm Metrowagonmash, and LES, with a 25:70:5 ownership ratio.
Indian Railways has revised its Rs 350 billion Vande Bharat semi-high speed train project, reducing the number of train sets from 120 to 80. However, each of these 80 train sets will now feature 24 coaches, up from the previous 16, and will include pantry cars, luggage compartments, and other facilities. The cost per train set is estimated at around Rs 1.2 billion.
The manufacturing of these new trains will be handled by Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint venture between India’s Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), Russian engineering firm Metrowagonmash, and Locomotive Electronic Systems (LES), with a 25:70:5 ownership ratio. The production will take place at the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF) in Latur, Maharashtra, which is expected to be handed over to the JV around November 2024.
The first prototype of the new 24-coach Vande Bharat trains is anticipated by September 2025, with a second prototype expected by November 2025. Production will follow a phased approach, with the first batch of 12 trains expected within the first year after the prototypes are approved. Subsequent deliveries will include 18 trains in the second year and batches of 25 train sets thereafter.
Kinet Railway Solutions holds a contract for both the manufacture and maintenance of the Vande Bharat train sets. Initially, the project detailed the production of 200 sleeper version train sets, each with 16 cars, to be manufactured at MRCF in Latur and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
A recent change in the scope of work, issued by the Ministry of Railways in May 2024, shifted the focus to 80 larger train sets with additional features. The Latur facility is currently being transferred to Kinet for this purpose. Additionally, a Goa-based firm, Kineco, has been contracted to create a mock-up model of the train, which is nearing completion, with inspections expected soon.
Maintenance facilities for the Vande Bharat trains will be established in Jodhpur, Delhi, and Bengaluru, with upgrade work set to commence shortly.
(Business Line)
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