Vande Bharat metro train to be ready by December 2023

By the end of this year, the Railway Ministry hopes to launch a short-distance version of the native Vande Bharat trains. The Vande Metro is being constructed with the idea that trains can travel at a very high frequency, such as four or five times daily in cities with a distance of less than 100 kilometres, which is very comfortable and inexpensive. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the train will be ready by December.

The Vande Metro trains, according to the minister, would contribute in relieving stress on the suburban train network. The reception garnered by the Vande Bharat trains served as the basis for the plan to operate the Vande Metro. "This will make it possible for job seekers and students to travel between cities in top-notch transportation while saving time. Additionally, it will aid in easing congestion on local trains," the speaker continued.

The government's attempts to expand the suburban Railway network include the Vande Metro trains. The Indian Railways currently uses suburban services to handle short-distance, high-demand lines (around 100 km one way). Popular routes circle Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai's major cities. In addition to these, suburban services are available in Barabanki-Lucknow, Pune, Hyderabad, Lucknow-Kanpur, and Pernem-Karwar (Goa). Trains operated by Vande Bharat have a top speed capability of more than 160 kmph.

Additionally, Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be made available soon. In one of the largest railway tenders for manufacturing-cum-maintenance of Vande Bharat trains, a consortium of BHEL and Titagarh Waggons was awarded the contract for the supply of 80 sleeper class Vande Bharat trains. The group would also take on thorough train maintenance for 35 years. 80 trains would be delivered at a cost of Rs 1.20 billion each, excluding taxes and charges. Additionally, a partnership lead by BHEL will provide the trains over a 72-month period.