MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Railway Board has chosen Wadi Bunder on the Central line and Mumbai Central on the Western line for the maintenance of next-generation Vande Bharat Trains. These trains will be manufactured at the newly opened Marathwada Rail Coach Factory, Latur and Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. The trains will run at a speed of 160 kmph, but they would be tested at 180 kmph.
The Railway board has sent a detailed letter to seven railway zones, including Central Railway and Western Railway on May 13, a senior railway official said. The trains will have AC sleeper facilities therefore they are going to cost around Rs 26000 crore. As Mumbai will be the hub for the maintenance of these trains it is likely that the trains will operate from Mumbai as well.
According to the letter which is written to different general managers across Indian Railways (IR), the board issued a tender for manufacturing-cum-maintenance of 200 energy efficient Vande Bharat Trains. The technology partner or contractor is expected to maintain the trains for of 35 years after which IR has to provide space and facilities at train depots.
“The board officials have already visited the proposed locations, including that on CR and WR. The Wadibunder Coaching Complex and Dankuni Coaching Terminal have been found suitable for now. However, alternative locations need to be explored on Western, South Central and South Western Railways. On WR, they identified Mumbai Central Terminus for now,” said a senior railway official.
The sources in the Railway said that on the WR, Jogeshwari siding could be better suited for the proposed depot instead of Mumbai Central. The letter also stated that the zonal railways are advised to examine these locations in detail and plan accordingly.
The new trains would also get separate washing lines. Each of it will have at least two washing lines nominated for 10 trains. In Mumbai, washing lines will be provided at CSMT, Mumbai Central and Bandra. At the depot sites, the government will provide basic civil structures such as electrical fittings, cranes, track, OHE and signalling, etc. Whereas the technology partner or contractor who will be selected in future for the project is required to maintain the trains for 35 years.
According to the sources the contractor will get paid around Rs 35 crore for upgrading each trainset Depot. The scheduled maintenance in the Depot shall be required on the 31st day from the preceding maintenance date or travel of 40000 kms whichever is earlier. Periodic overhauling shall not be required before 6 months of train’s introduction. It will be described as a failure if there is a detention of train for 15 minutes on account of a malfunction, or its inability to achieve at least 75 per cent of maximum speed.
