Indian Railways Invests ₹1343.72 Crores in State-of-the-Art Vande Bharat Express Trains for Enhanced Passenger Experience

With a commitment to enhancing passenger experience, Indian Railways has introduced the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express trains equipped with modern coaches, offering advanced safety features and top-notch amenities. A fund of ₹1343.72 Crores has been utilized for the manufacturing of these high-speed trains.

Salient Features of Vande Bharat Express Trains

The Vande Bharat Express trains have been designed to offer an unparalleled travel experience with the following features:

1. Fitted with KAVACH: The trains are equipped with the indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system called Kavach, ensuring enhanced safety.
2. Faster Acceleration and Semi-High Speed Operation: These trains can achieve speeds of up to 160 KMPH, providing efficient and time-saving journeys.
3. Fully Sealed Gangway: Passengers can move freely between coaches through fully sealed gangways, ensuring convenience and safety.
4. Automatic Plug Doors: The trains feature automatic plug doors for efficient boarding and disembarking.
5. Comfortable Seating: The coaches boast reclining ergonomic seats, with the executive class offering revolving seats for added comfort.
6. Mobile Charging Sockets: Each seat is equipped with mobile charging sockets to keep passengers connected.
7. Mini Pantry: Vande Bharat trains come with a mini pantry that includes facilities such as a hot case, bottle cooler, deep freezer, and hot water boiler.
8. Enhanced Lighting: The trains offer a combination of direct and diffused lighting for a pleasant ambiance.
9. Special Lavatory for Divyangjan Passengers: Dedicated lavatories are provided for differently-abled passengers.
10. Safety Measures: Each coach is equipped with emergency openable windows, fire extinguishers, and CCTV cameras.
11. Emergency Alarm and Communication: Emergency alarm push buttons and talk-back units are available in all coaches for instant communication.
12. Fire Safety: Aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems are installed in electrical cabinets and lavatories.
13. Driver-Guard Communication: The trains have a driver-guard communication system with voice recording and crash-hardened memory.
14. Coach Condition Monitoring System: A CCMS display with remote monitoring is implemented to ensure optimal performance.
15. Disaster Lights: Each coach is equipped with four platform side cameras, including rear view cameras, for added safety during emergencies.

Operational Success and Expansion

As of 28th July 2023, 50 Vande Bharat train services are operational on the Indian Railways, connecting states with Board Gauge (BG) electrified networks. The introduction of Vande Bharat services is an ongoing process, subject to operational feasibility and traffic justification.

A Paradigm of Modern Rail Travel

India’s first-ever indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains have successfully redefined rail travel, offering high speed, enhanced safety standards, and world-class service, making them a hallmark of modern train travel.

Minister’s Statement

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronic & Information Technology, provided this information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. The introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains represents Indian Railways’ commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and efficient travel experience for passengers across the country.