New Delhi: The sleeper version of Vande Bharat train, which is meant for long-distance travels, is ready and is currently undergoing tests.
“For long-range travel, ‘Vande sleeper’ train is being developed with every feature being designed meticulously. The first train has already been manufactured and currently undergoing testing,” said railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the demands for grants under the control of the railway ministry for the current fiscal (2024-25).
The minister said that sleeper variant of Vande Bharat trains are aimed ensuring comfortable journey to the passengers during their travel beyond 700-1000 kilometres. “These trains are being developed by public sector undertaking BEML which aims to deliver 10 units by the end fiscal 2024-25,” said Vaishnaw.
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On the growing demand for rail travel, Vaishnaw said approximately 2,500 additional general coaches will be produced in the coming months. “Another 10,000 additional general coaches will soon be produced to tackle no availability related issues,” he said.
The minister also informed the House that the railway ministry was also planning to induct a Vande Metro train, designed for shorter distances ranging from 150-200 km, which is also under different stages of trial.
Responding to the opposition party’s allegations over rising number of train accidents, Vaishnaw said that automatic train protection (ATP) could not be deployed during the nearly 60 years of Congress rule. “India’s own ATP was developed in 2014, with KAVACH undergoing its first trials in 2016 and receiving the SIL-4 certification in 2019,” he said.
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He said that a 3,000 km long project was initiated in 2022 for the implementation of ATP system, and in 2024, version 4.0 of KAVACH was approved. “The government has expenditure on safety-related issues was ₹98,414 crore in 2023-24, and budget 2024-25 has allocated ₹1,08,795 crore for the same.
