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Six additional Vande Bharat trains expected to be rolled out by month-end
Industry News- Sep 16,24
The Vande Bharat trains have now become the fastest point-to-point services in the country, offering passenger amenities that rival those of airlines and setting new standards in rail travel.
In 1988, the late Madhavrao Scindia, then Railways Minister under Rajiv Gandhi's government, inaugurated the Shatabdi Express, marking a milestone in Indian rail travel with its speed and point-to-point service. Inspired by his visits to Japan and France, the Shatabdi was among the fastest trains in India at the time.
Fast forward to February 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first Vande Bharat train—a groundbreaking, indigenously-designed high-speed train that represents a significant leap in India's manufacturing capabilities. The Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) has been recognised with Business Line’s Changemaker of the Year Award 2024 for its role in revolutionising rail travel with the Vande Bharat trains.
The Vande Bharat trains have now become the fastest point-to-point services in the country, offering passenger amenities that rival those of airlines and setting new standards in rail travel. The trains are seen as a benchmark for excellence, comparable to the Eurail network.
U Subba Rao, General Manager, ICF, expressed optimism about the future of Indian rail travel, stating, “India is on the cusp of a transformative change in train travel. In the next 4-5 years, with innovations like Vande Bharat, Vande Sleepers, Vande Metro, and Amrit Bharat trains, we will witness a dramatic shift in how people travel.”
He also announced that more Vande Bharat trains will be rolled out by the end of the month, with at least six additional trains expected. “The Prime Minister’s directive to accelerate production is being met with the rollout of 12 more trains in the coming months,” Rao added.
The introduction of Vande Bharat trains has reinvigorated ICF, which first began rolling out coaches in 1955. By June 2024, ICF produced its 75,000th coach, marking a significant achievement with a Vande Bharat trainset.
ICF has established itself as the world’s largest rail coach manufacturer under one roof, with 75 Vande Bharat trainsets produced by July 2024 and plans to manufacture 15 more in FY25.
Rao highlighted the impact of Vande Bharat trains, stating, “The development of these trains has invigorated our entire organisation. Vande Bharat is now a comprehensive brand, not just a single train model.”
While Vande Bharat trains are not designed to replicate European trains or match the speeds of Chinese high-speed trains, they represent a significant step forward, capable of reaching speeds of 160 kph, though typically operating at around 130 kph due to track limitations.
New routes, such as the Chennai to Bengaluru line, are being prioritised, offering travel times of under four-and-a-half hours—faster than air travel for certain routes. This efficiency is boosting tourism, with increased focus on temple tourism and new travel circuits, as noted by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
(Business Line)
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