Introduction:
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s fastest train, has been a remarkable addition to the Indian Railways, revolutionizing rail travel. Since its inauguration on February 15, 2019, it has swiftly gained popularity, and now, Indian Railways is set to further enhance its reach by introducing nine more Vande Bharat trains on various routes across the country.
Indian Railways’ Expansion Plans:
According to a recent report by Zee News, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is actively preparing the rakes for these nine new trains. Among the states to benefit the most from this expansion are Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. A grand event is expected to mark the simultaneous launch of these trains.
New Routes for Vande Bharat Express:
The Indian Railways has disclosed that three of the five new Vande Bharat Express routes have been assigned to the Southern Railways, with the specific names yet to be revealed. The final deployment location for Vande Bharat Express remains undisclosed. However, here are the confirmed routes:
- Indore – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
- Jaipur–Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express
- Jaipur–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express
- Puri – Rourkela Vande Bharat Express
- Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Express
Current Vande Bharat Express Network:
Currently, over 25 Vande Bharat Express trains operate on 50 routes nationwide, comprising 25 up and 25 down routes. These trains are distributed across various railway zones as follows:
- Northern Zone: 4 trains
- Western, West Central, and North Western Rail Route Zones: 2 trains each
- Southern and Central Zones: 3 trains each
- East Coast, South Central, South Eastern, Northeast Frontier, South East Central, Eastern, East Central, South Western, and North Eastern Railway: 1 train each
Global Recognition:
The excellence of Vande Bharat Express was showcased when a delegation of media representatives from G20 nations boarded the Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express during the G20 Summit. They expressed their delight at the experience, highlighting the train as a symbol of Indian engineering and comfort.
Technological Advancements and Partnerships:
Hindalco Industries Ltd has joined forces with Italy-based Metra SpA to manufacture advanced aluminium rail coaches for Vande Bharat Express trains. Metra SpA, known for its high-tech aluminium extrusions, will contribute cutting-edge technology to the project. Hindalco plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore in this endeavor. The incorporation of aluminium is expected to increase the train’s speed beyond 200 kmph due to its lightweight nature, lower maintenance costs, and improved corrosion and abrasion resistance.
SUMMARY:
The expansion of the Vande Bharat Express network is a significant step towards improving rail connectivity and passenger experience in India. The addition of nine new routes, combined with technological advancements, will further elevate the status of Vande Bharat Express as a symbol of modern Indian rail innovation. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in Indian rail travel.
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