Patna: After Vande Bharat, travellers from Patna are likely enjoy the ride of another modern and yet to be unveiled semi-high speed train—Amrit Bharat express—but without paying higher tariff.
Although there is no official statement about launch of the new train, consisting of all non-air conditioned coaches, it is said that the one of the two new trains will start running between Mumbai and Patna by the month-end. Trial run of Amrit Bharat express, equipped with two WAP5 locomotives attached on both sides, has already begun from Mumbai’s Wadi Bunder yard.
Also Read: Sleeper version of Vande Bharat to be rolled out in Feb next year
Consisting of 22-coach LHB non-AC 3-tier sleeper and unreserved coaches, the train has capacity to carry 1,800 passengers and operate at speeds reaching 130 kmph. Officials of the east central railway said that non-AC train is poised to provide affordable fares to passengers. Unlike Vande Bharat express, there will be no catering facility in the train, but for safety, each coach will have CCTV camera for passengers’ safety.
As per reports, the trial run of Amrit Bharat express has already begun on the Mumbai-Nashik corridor, with a focus on the hilly terrain. Reports say that the railway ministry has proposed to run the train between Mumbai Central and Patna and Mumbai Central and Delhi. Schedule and fare of the train are, however, yet to be announced.
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Sleeper version of Vande Bharat trains to roll on soon
Recently at a CII rail congress, Railway Board secretary Milind Deouskar had said the Indian Railways has proposed launching Vande Bharat sleeper coach and Vande Bharat metros soon. “We are planning Vande Bharat sleepers and Vande Bharat metro trains to meet the throughput, speed, and convenience expectations,” he said.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier shared images of the ‘concept train-Vande Bharat (sleeper version)’ on social media. Reports say that each Vande Bharat express sleeper train is designed for speeds of up to 160 km per hour and will consist of 16 coaches, to carry approximately 887 passengers.
Production plan for Vande Bharat exp
The Indian Railways has estimated production of 102 Vande Bharat rakes, with 35 to be readied for operations in 2022-2023 and 67 in 2023-2024. These rakes will be manufactured in the Integral Coach Factory, the Rail Coach Factory, and the Modern Coach Factory. Out of these, 75 Vande Bharat rakes are designated as chair car versions, while the remaining are planned as sleeper versions.
Also Read: Nine new Vande Bharat Exp trains launched, 11 states to benefit
The Indian Railways has also launched the process of manufacturing 400 Vande Bharat trains (sleeper version) incorporating three different technologies. Tenders have been issued to select technology partners for in-house manufacturing.
