18th Vande Bharat Express launched; India’s indigenous semi-high speed train now covers 9195 kms in mere 4 years

In India, trains hold seminal public importance as it shapes the nation’s development, connectivity and cultural fabric by providing affordable and accessible transportation for both, passengers and goods. The trains in India serve as a lifeline for millions as it facilitates economic growth, enabling trade and also promoting tourism allowing people to explore India’s rich cultural heritage. Trains represent a symbol of progress, inclusivity and national integration, bridging the gap between regions, fostering unity and promoting cultural exchange.

On May 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express, the first in North East India. The train connects Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri, covering the 410 kilometres long journey within five-and-a-half hours. It will operate six days a week and stop at six stations on its route – New Jalpaiguri, New Alipurduar, Kokrajhar, New Bongaigaon, Kamakhya and Guwahati. It is also the 18th Vande Bharat train to be launched in India. Since Vande Bharat Express was first launched on February 15, 2019, it has witnessed remarkable popularity amongst the masses.

The Vande Bharat trains operate on 18 routes – New Delhi-Varanasi, New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Gandhinagar-Mumbai, New Delhi-Amb Andaura (Himachal Pradesh), Chennai-Mysuru, Nagpur-Bilaspur, Howrah-New Jalpaiguri, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mumbai-Solapur, Mumbai-Shirdi, Delhi-Bhopal, Secunderabad-Tirupati, Chennai-Coimbatore, Ajmer-Delhi Cantt, Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod, Puri-Howrah, Dehradun- Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminus and New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati.

It is pertinent to note that the Government of India has further ramped up the introduction of these semi-high-speed electric trains in 2023. Since the beginning of 2023, Vande Bharat trains have been launched on eleven routes – Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mumbai-Solapur, Mumbai-Shirdi, Delhi-Bhopal, Secunderabad-Tirupati, Chennai-Coimbatore, Ajmer-Delhi Cantt, Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod, Puri-Howrah, Dehradun- Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminus and New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati – compared to seven routes created from 2019 to 2022.

Made in India, Made for India

In 2016, Spain’s Talgo trains performed a trial run on the Delhi-Mumbai route, however, the project was called off due to cost and maximum speed. Thereafter, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) General Manager Sudhanshu Mani proposed to the Government of India to manufacture indigenous semi-high-speed rail. The government sanctioned Rs 200 crores to manufacture two trainsets at the ICF on a pilot basis, looking at Mani’s zeal.

Thereafter, the ICF manufactured two trainsets within a duration of 18 months in 2018. The train was named “Train-18” with an operational speed of 180 km/hour. The Prime Minister flagged off the first “Train-18”, renamed Vande Bharat Express, on the Delhi-Varanasi route connecting the national capital with a spiritual centre.

Since its launch, the train has been upgraded making it lighter and more energy efficient with better doors, better-reclining seats, Kavach signalling technology for safety purposes, disaster lights, centralised coach monitoring system, higher flood protection, bio-vacuum toilets, quicker acceleration-deceleration, better aerodynamic design to reduce air resistance, pneumatic suspensions to reduce jerk, sleeper coaches and tilt train technology.

The Vande Bharat trains are designed to provide faster commutes with multiple creature comforts – onboard Wi-Fi, rotational and comfortable seats, GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, bio-vacuum toilets, improved heat ventilation and air conditioning control, LED lighting for a composed ambience, CCTV surveillance for increased safety, 32-inch infotainment screens and more – rivalling air travel.

Occupancy Rates

It is pertinent to note that the Vande Bharat Express recorded outstanding occupancy rates in May 2023, indicating its immense popularity amongst commuters. A Central Railways (CR) official said, “The overwhelming response from travellers reflects the success story of these modern train services.”

Vande Bharat train operating from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Sainagar Shirdi Station has recorded an occupancy rate of 93 per cent, with the highest recorded occupancy of 100.79 per cent on May 20, 2023. Furthermore, the train running from Sainagar Shirdi Station to CSMT has recorded an occupancy rate of 84 per cent, peaking at 103.63 per cent on May 21, 2023.

Meanwhile, the train operating from Mumbai to Solapur has recorded an occupancy rate of 119.45 per cent, peaking at 133.06 per cent on May 12, 2023. Furthermore, the train running from Solapur to Mumbai has also recorded remarkable occupancy of 125.23 per cent, with an exception peak occupancy of 151.24 per cent on May 2, 2023.

CR’s Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Shivraj Manaspure has attributed the success of Vande Bharat Express to superior amenities which are on par with air travel. He said, “The success of these Vande Bharat Express trains can be attributed to their superior amenities, providing passengers with an experience akin to air travel. Equipped with advanced safety features, these trains offer reclining seats in all classes, with the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats. Each coach is equipped with 32” screens providing passenger information and infotainment.” He further said that these trains are accessible to persons with disabilities and provide enhanced comfort to commuters.

Attack on Vande Bharat

While the Vande Bharat trains have received people’s love and support, these trains continue to irk some unhappy with the country’s progress. On April 25, Prime Minister flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central Station; thereafter, incidents of stone pelting were reported on the new train.

Stones were pelted on the new Vande Bharat train when it was travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod, which left the windshield of one coach damaged. The Southern Railway said, “No one was injured. The windshield of one coach was damaged. Police have registered a case. We have decided to strengthen train security.”

It is pertinent to note that stone incidents have been recorded in other parts of the country. On April 6, another stone pelting incident was reported at the Vande Bharat train from Visakhapatnam. In March, an incident of stone pelting was reported from West Bengal’s Murshidabad district in which window panes of a coach were damaged.