As PM inaugurates Purple Line in B’lore, govt announce Sleeper Carriages and Vande Metro

Indian Railways is prepared to launch the Vande Metro, a new project intended to offer luxury short-distance transport, in the early 2024.

Invoking the popular Vande Bharat Express trains as her model, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw first revealed this proposal at the post-Budget 2023 railway briefing. The Vande Metro is intended to provide a quick, comfortable commute for shorter trips, with top speeds of 130 kmph.

The Vande Metro trains are designed for travel durations of up to 300 kilometers, according to BG Mallya, General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF), who provided insights about the project.

According to ANI, the Indian Railways (IR) plans to introduce the Vande Bharat Express project’s first iteration of sleeper carriages by March 2024. The new service aims to make it possible for people to make overnight long-distance trips on high-speed trains.

According to reports, it also intends to introduce the Vande Bharat Metro, which would meet short-distance transit demands, across the nation by January 2024. Integral Coach Factory (ICF) made the announcement of the intentions on Friday.

In essence, the Vande Metro takes the role of the Mainline EMU and is designed primarily for shorter lines covering 250–300 kilometers. According to the ICF GM, production of the first Vande Metro train has already started, with a rollout scheduled for January 2024, according to the Economic Times.

ICF General Manager BG Mallya made the announcement, stating that “Sleeper coach of Vande Bharat will be rolled out in the current financial year where the first train is under production and will be rolled out in March 2024.”

The fleet of Indian Railways will significantly expand with the installation of the trains.

Mallya stated that the Vande Metro, a 12-coach train that would be utilized for short-distance transport, will be different.

The Vande Metro trains’ features

The Vande Metro trains have similarities with the Vande Bharat Express, with the main distinction being the presence of standing room. For effective and comfortable travel, each bus can hold 100 passengers in seats and an extra 200 standing.

1. Fully sealed gangways between coaches improve safety and the riding experience for passengers.
2. The train’s contemporary, padded seats and lightweight vehicle structure provide for a comfortable journey.
3. For quick boarding and disembarking, each coach has four sets of wider automated plug-in doors.
4. The aerodynamic design of the train’s driving end adds to its effectiveness and appeal.
5. The Vande Metro has cutting-edge technology, including CCTV cameras, an LCD-displayed Passenger Information System (PIS), diffused lighting, and route indication displays.
6. Features that promote passenger safety include an automated fire detection and alarm system.
7. For a comfortable ride, the trains have bigger, sealed, panoramic windows with roller shades.
8. For the protection of passengers, an emergency talkback unit is available.
9.  For convenience and hygiene, the train has modular restrooms with vacuum evacuation systems.
10. Passenger items can be stored on lightweight aluminium luggage racks.
11. The KAVACH train’s anti-collision mechanism increases safety while traveling.
12. A toilet for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) is available in the driving car to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.

In the meantime, Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh, which is slated for elections, would soon get a Vande Bharat Express, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. “Vande Bharat should start running on this route now. The same has already been sought by your Member of Parliament (MP), Sudhir Gupta,” he remarked on Monday while speaking to the crowd in Neemuch.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signalled the start of the inaugural Vande Bharat Express on February 15, 2019, which runs between New Delhi and Varanasi.

Modern conveniences are provided and journey times are shortened for passengers on the Vande Bharat Express.

At least 50 trains are presently running as part of this effort, and the semi-high-speed train now travels across the nation’s rail-electrified states. The train, which was produced at the ICF in Chennai, is said to represent the Make in India effort and highlight India’s technical expertise.

According to sources, the railways also intends to introduce nine Vande Bharat Express semi-high-speed trains on a variety of routes soon.

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