A new version of the Amrit Bharat Express, called Amrit Bharat 2.2, is currently in development. This upgraded model is being positioned as a strong competitor to the Vande Bharat trains and is being manufactured at both the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala. It follows the earlier Amrit Bharat and Amrit Bharat 2.0 versions.The most significant improvement in the upcoming Amrit Bharat 2.2 is the addition of more air-conditioned coaches. Kerala has been identified as a key focus area in deployment plans. Unlike the Vande Bharat trains, which already feature AC coaches, the earlier Amrit Bharat models did not include them. The goal behind this change is to enable affordable long-distance travel. The train is designed to cover approximately 800 km at a top speed ranging between 110 and 130 kmph. Between 2025 and 2027, it is expected that 100 Amrit Bharat coaches, including the newest version, will be rolled out. These coaches will feature twelve interior upgrades.So far, three rakes from ICF have been introduced and are operating on routes such as Anand Vihar Terminal to Darbhanga Junction, Malda Town to SMVT Bengaluru, and Mumbai Lokmanyatilak to Saharsa Junction.Coach enhancements and future plansThe interiors of Amrit Bharat trains are notable for their improved design and vibrant colour schemes. The first version featured a higher number of general coaches alongside sleeper coaches, with two rakes of 22 coaches already in operation. The Amrit Bharat 2 model is designed with fewer general coaches but more sleeper coaches and now includes a pantry car, which is expected to be operational soon.A total of 25 rakes under Amrit Bharat 2 will be manufactured, with 11 scheduled for release this year. Another 25 rakes will be built in Kapurthala. A key feature of the 2.2 version is the increased number of AC coaches, with each rake including at least three. These coaches will have upgraded interiors featuring comfortable seating, modern switches, improved toilets, convenient charging points, and mobile holders. Although final allocations have not yet been decided, coaches from the Amrit Bharat 2 plan will also be utilized in the 2.2 version.Expansion of the Vande Bharat seriesVande Bharat trains are already well-known for daytime journeys, and the forthcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to dominate night routes. The Vande Bharat model introduced in Kashmir has been equipped with systems designed to handle both cold and heat. Between 2025 and 2026, India is expected to launch 200 Vande Bharat trains, 50 Vande Bharat Sleepers, and 100 Amrit Bharat trains.At present, 78 Vande Bharat trains, each comprising between eight and twenty coaches, are operational, all manufactured at ICF. The future-oriented Vande Bharat Sleeper is under production by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). The two Vande Bharat trains running in Kerala reportedly have some of the highest occupancy rates in the country.Modern train technologyVande Bharat trains have transformed traditional engine-driven coaches by employing self-propelled systems. Instead of having a separate locomotive, traction motors installed under the intermediate coaches power the train. This technology allows the train to accelerate rapidly from 0 to 100 kmph and reach speeds of up to 180 kmph. A critical safety feature is the automatic doors, which remain locked while the train is moving and only open once the train comes to a complete stop. Additionally, all doors must be closed before the train can start moving, and surveillance cameras are installed in every coach.News source: English Mathrubhumi