The Union Budget for 2022-2023 has brought significant developments in India’s railway sector into the spotlight. The Finance Minister has announced plans to manufacture an additional 400 Vande Bharat trains over the next three years, representing a potential investment of Rs 50,000 crore. This proposal comes alongside a current plan to operate 75 Vande Bharat trains across the country by Independence Day in 2023.
About Vande Bharat Trains
Vande Bharat trains represent a substantial advancement for Indian Railways. These semi high-speed, self-propelled train sets were designed and manufactured domestically, marking a significant stride since the introduction of Rajdhani trains. The first of these vehicles was produced by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai as part of the ‘Make in India’ program at a cost of around Rs. 100 crore.
Unlike conventional passenger coaching systems, which require separate locomotives, the Vande Bharat trains use a train-set configuration. While this approach is complex, its advantages include faster speeds, lower maintenance needs, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced operational flexibility. Currently, two such trains are operational, running between New Delhi and Varanasi, and from New Delhi to Katra.
The Future of Vande Bharat Trains
As for the planned 400 new trains, they will exhibit improved efficiency. Additionally, several of these trainsets will be constructed with aluminium rather than steel bodies—reducing each train set’s weight by 40-80 tonnes compared with the current Vande Bharat models. This change will translate into further reductions in energy consumption and potential gains in speed.
Features of Vande Bharat Trains
Known previously as Train 18 during their development phase, these vehicles function without a locomotive and rely on a propulsion system — distributed traction power technology — which powers each car of the train set. The coaches are equipped with a host of amenities for passengers, including on-board WiFi entertainment, GPS-based information systems, CCTV, automatic doors in all coaches, rotating chairs and aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets. With the ability to reach top speeds of 160 kmph, these trains cut journey time by 25% to 45% thanks to their rapid acceleration and deceleration. They also feature intelligent braking systems with power regeneration, leading to better energy efficiency and cost savings.
Significance of Vande Bharat Trains
The manufacture of these 400 trainset vehicles over the next three years promises job creation potential in the range of 10,000-15,000. Additionally, an investment of Rs 50,000 crore into the country’s rolling stock industry is set to generate substantial growth in sectors such as component manufacturing and supplies. The initiative will also likely lead to improved railway finances and operational efficiency.
Looking Ahead
Indian railways is embarking on a new era of travel experience with these next-generation trains. In a market where low-cost airlines and efficient road networks provide stiff competition, these new train sets could help the railway sector retain and even increase traffic. The successful and timely execution of this ambitious project, along with an understanding of the varying demand for different travel classes, will be crucial for the success of the Vande Bharat project.
