NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The third Vande Bharat Express shall be launched on September 30. The train will run between Gandhinagar Capital and Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the new and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express between Gandhinagar and Mumbai at Gandhinagar station at around 10:30 am. He will also travel by train from Gandhinagar to Kalupur railway station. The two other Vande Bharat Express trains are : New Delhi to Varanasi (inaugural run on February 15, 2019) and New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (inaugural run on October 3, 2019).
Prime Minister Modi declared that 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every section of the nation during the 75 weeks of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence in his address to the nation on August 15, 2021 from the Red Fort’s ramparts.
The characteristics of this train are its speed, safety and service. Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai, has been the force behind the system integration of these rails in just 18 months. The Vande Bharat Express has similar travel classes like Shatabdi Train and can travel at a top speed of 160 kmph, but it offers passengers a superior travelling experience. In terms of convenience and speed, this train represents Indian Railways’ next significant advancement.
Due to faster acceleration and deceleration, it may reach high speeds and will cut the travel time by 25% to 45%. Automatic doors, a GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, onboard hotspot Wi-Fi for entertainment, and exceptionally comfortable seating are equipped on all coaches. Additionally, the executive class has rotating chairs.
All washrooms have bio-vacuum toilets. There are two types of lighting: diffused for overall illumination and individual for each seat.
All classes will now have access to the side recliner seat feature that is currently only offered to Executive Class passengers. 180-degree rotating seats are an added bonus for the Executive Coaches. Additionally, the train will offer touch-free bio vacuum toilets.
Each Vande Bharat Express has a total seating capacity of 1,128 passengers. Every coach has a pantry where hot food and hot and cold drinks can be served. To increase passenger comfort, the insulation is designed to keep heat and noise at very low levels. The Vande Bharat 2.0 trains have the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System) for enhanced safety in operations. There will be improved security with four emergency windows added in every coach. There will be four platform side cameras including rearview cameras outside the coach instead of two earlier.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that 400 new-generation Vande Bharat trains will be developed and manufactured during the next three years.
