In a significant development set to elevate the Indian Railways experience, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is gearing up to unveil the first Vande Bharat sleeper train in March 2024, as confirmed by BG Mallya, the General Manager of ICF. This eagerly anticipated addition promises to transform long-distance travel, enabling passengers to journey comfortably on high-speed trains overnight.
The introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains holds great promise for a country where train travel is a way of life. This new offering aligns perfectly with India's growing need for efficient and convenient rail transportation options. The sleeper coaches are set to make overnight travel a seamless and comfortable experience, ushering in a new era of train travel in the country.
Moreover, the ICF has another exciting project in the works – the Vande Metro. This innovative 12-coach train is tailored for short-distance travel and is slated to hit the tracks by January 2024. With the Vande Metro, passengers can expect a swift and comfortable journey for their everyday commuting needs, further enhancing India's diverse rail travel options.
The expansion of the Vande Bharat Express network is also on the horizon, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing that Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch will soon be connected to this remarkable service. The Vande Bharat Express has already made waves in the Indian rail sector with its cutting-edge amenities and reduced travel times, redefining passenger experiences across the nation. Currently, 50 operational services span India's rail network, demonstrating the remarkable reach of this initiative.
The journey of the Vande Bharat Express is a testament to India's engineering prowess and the 'Make-In-India' initiative. Following its inauguration, it embarked on its maiden voyage on February 15, 2019. Operating between New Delhi and Varanasi, this high-speed train was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, reflecting India's commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement.
The genesis of the Vande Bharat Express project can be traced back to mid-2017 when the endeavour to manufacture indigenous semi-high-speed train sets began. Remarkably, within 18 months, the ICF Chennai unveiled Train-18, which was later rebranded as the Vande Bharat Express in January 2019.
One of the crowning achievements of the Vande Bharat Express was its impressive speed, reaching a maximum of 180 kilometres per hour on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur section. As India continues to make strides in the realm of rail transportation, the eagerly awaited Vande Bharat sleeper trains and the Vande Metro are poised to add another layer of convenience and comfort to the nation's extensive railway network, reaffirming the Indian Railways' commitment to progress and passenger satisfaction.