10 Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains in Production; 200 Rakes for Partners

20 Dec 2024 CW Team

As of now, 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are under production for long and medium-distance journeys across India. The first prototype has been manufactured and is set to undergo field trials. Additionally, the manufacturing of 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper Rakes has been awarded to technology partners. The rollout timeline will depend on the successful completion of these trials. As of December 2, 2024, 136 Vande Bharat trains are operational on the Broad Gauge electrified network, serving short and medium-distance routes across the country. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in a statement to the Lok Sabha, highlighted that the 136 Vande Bharat train services, equipped with Chair Cars, are already operational. The overall occupancy rate of Vande Bharat Express trains has exceeded 100% up to October 2024, reflecting their growing popularity. In response to another query, the Minister noted that Indian Railways’ production units have been exclusively manufacturing LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches since April 2018. The number of LHB coaches produced between 2014-24 (36,933 units) is more than 16 times greater than the 2,337 units manufactured in the 2004-14 period. These LHB coaches are technologically advanced, featuring anti-climbing arrangements, air suspension systems with failure indicators, and corrosion-resistant shells. As part of the "Sugamya Bharat Mission" (Accessible India Campaign), Indian Railways has been making significant improvements in accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility. In compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, facilities like ramps, accessible parking, Braille signage, low-height counters, and lifts/escalators have been implemented. By November 2024, Indian Railways had installed 1,512 escalators at 399 stations and 1,607 lifts at 609 stations, marking impressive growth compared to the previous decade. Most Mail/Express trains now feature dedicated coaches with wide entrances, accessible washrooms, and wheelchair parking. Vande Bharat trains also offer enhanced accessibility with automatic doors, designated spaces, and Braille signage for Divyangjans. (PIB)

As of now, 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are under production for long and medium-distance journeys across India. The first prototype has been manufactured and is set to undergo field trials. Additionally, the manufacturing of 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper Rakes has been awarded to technology partners. The rollout timeline will depend on the successful completion of these trials. As of December 2, 2024, 136 Vande Bharat trains are operational on the Broad Gauge electrified network, serving short and medium-distance routes across the country. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in a statement to the Lok Sabha, highlighted that the 136 Vande Bharat train services, equipped with Chair Cars, are already operational. The overall occupancy rate of Vande Bharat Express trains has exceeded 100% up to October 2024, reflecting their growing popularity. In response to another query, the Minister noted that Indian Railways’ production units have been exclusively manufacturing LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches since April 2018. The number of LHB coaches produced between 2014-24 (36,933 units) is more than 16 times greater than the 2,337 units manufactured in the 2004-14 period. These LHB coaches are technologically advanced, featuring anti-climbing arrangements, air suspension systems with failure indicators, and corrosion-resistant shells. As part of the Sugamya Bharat Mission (Accessible India Campaign), Indian Railways has been making significant improvements in accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility. In compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, facilities like ramps, accessible parking, Braille signage, low-height counters, and lifts/escalators have been implemented. By November 2024, Indian Railways had installed 1,512 escalators at 399 stations and 1,607 lifts at 609 stations, marking impressive growth compared to the previous decade. Most Mail/Express trains now feature dedicated coaches with wide entrances, accessible washrooms, and wheelchair parking. Vande Bharat trains also offer enhanced accessibility with automatic doors, designated spaces, and Braille signage for Divyangjans. (PIB)

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..