Indian Railways to operate 102 Vande Bharat trains by March 2024

31 Aug 2021 CW Team

The Indian Railways is planning to make 102 Vande Bharat trains operational by March 2024.

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the operation of 75 Vande Bharat trains, the Ministry of Railways has invited bids for producing 58 rakes, each including 16 coaches. Tenders have already been floated for building 44 rakes.

According to the Railway authorities, 102 Vande Bharat trains would be commissioned by early 2024. The Train18, later named Vande Bharat Express, was launched by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. It was showcased as India’s first semi high-speed train with the operational efficiency of 160 kmph and a game-changer.

On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that 75 Vande Bharat trains would be operationalised to join different parts of the country.

In the fresh tenders, the Ministry of Railways insisted on the agreement of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 and said that there was sufficient local capacity and competition in the supply of the tendered item in needed quantity and thus, public acquisition of this items is restrained to Class-I Local Suppliers only.

The new tender issued on Saturday invited bids for development, design, manufacture and supply of tools for three-phase propulsion and elements for train sets according to the Research Design and Standards Organisation specifications. Of the 58 rakes of 16 car composition, 30 would be launched from the ICF in Chennai, 14 from the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and 14 from the Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli.

While contractors should certify the percentage of local elements and imported items, the tender conditions laid down that the eligibility for bidders from a country that shared land border with India to take part in the tender would be managed by the Public Procurement Orders of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Image Source

Also read: Indian Railways invites bids for 58 new Vande Bharat trains

The Indian Railways is planning to make 102 Vande Bharat trains operational by March 2024. Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the operation of 75 Vande Bharat trains, the Ministry of Railways has invited bids for producing 58 rakes, each including 16 coaches. Tenders have already been floated for building 44 rakes. According to the Railway authorities, 102 Vande Bharat trains would be commissioned by early 2024. The Train18, later named Vande Bharat Express, was launched by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. It was showcased as India’s first semi high-speed train with the operational efficiency of 160 kmph and a game-changer. On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that 75 Vande Bharat trains would be operationalised to join different parts of the country. In the fresh tenders, the Ministry of Railways insisted on the agreement of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 and said that there was sufficient local capacity and competition in the supply of the tendered item in needed quantity and thus, public acquisition of this items is restrained to Class-I Local Suppliers only. The new tender issued on Saturday invited bids for development, design, manufacture and supply of tools for three-phase propulsion and elements for train sets according to the Research Design and Standards Organisation specifications. Of the 58 rakes of 16 car composition, 30 would be launched from the ICF in Chennai, 14 from the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and 14 from the Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli. While contractors should certify the percentage of local elements and imported items, the tender conditions laid down that the eligibility for bidders from a country that shared land border with India to take part in the tender would be managed by the Public Procurement Orders of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Image Source Also read: Indian Railways invites bids for 58 new Vande Bharat trains

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..