Vande Bharat Express

Subject – Infrastructure

Context – 102 Vande Bharat trains to be operational by 2024

Concept –

The Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is an Indian semi-high-speed, intercity, EMU train which was designed and manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Perambur, Chennai under the Indian government’s Make in India initiative, over a span of 18 months.
The unit cost of the first rake was estimated at ₹1 billion (US$14 million), although it is expected to go down with subsequent production.
At the original price, it is estimated to be 40% cheaper than a similar train imported from Europe.
As of Aug 2021, the Indian Railways operates two Vande Bharat trains, one from Delhi to Varanasi and the other from Delhi to Katra.
Vande Bharat Express is designed to be capable of running at a maximum speed of 200 km/h (120 mph), but the tracks on which the train operates are not capable of supporting such high speeds, hence the train is operated at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).
This made it the fastest train to run in India and the second fastest operating train in India, behind the Gatimaan Express which operates at 160 km/h (99 mph).
Vande Bharat trains are self-propelled “engineless” train sets.
Its faster acceleration and deceleration results in reduced train travel time.
It is energy-efficient as its coaches will be fitted with LED lights. Coaches will have automatic doors and retractable footsteps.