India’s first Vande Metro Train is set to sprint on the tracks in May. The first prototype is expected to be ready for factory testing by the end of this month. The construction work for 70% of the 16 coaches included in the Vande Metro Train set has already been completed. Under the leadership of S.K. Shrinivas, General Manager of Rail Coach Factory (RCF), the construction work for the Vande Metro Train is progressing at a rapid pace. The Vande Metro Train has been designed by Shrinivas Vande, a notable figure in the field.
It has been claimed that the first rake will be dispatched in May
The first prototype will be ready for factory testing by the end of this month. Construction of the 12 shells (outer shells) has already been completed, and work on their interior furnishing is underway. More than 70% of the work on the 16 coaches has been completed. Subsequently, the coaches will be subjected to railway testing. They will then be deployed for service in Indian Railways’ fleet.
The GM stated that during this fiscal year
Nine more Vande Metro Trains will be manufactured. Designed as India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed train to cover a distance of 250 km, the Vande Bharat Train is modeled on the Vande Bharat’s concept. The Vande Metro Train will be a 16-coach air-conditioned train with a maximum speed of 130 km per hour. It will prove to be beneficial for intercity travel.
Each coach will have a capacity of 280 passengers, accommodating 100 seated and 180 standing passengers. A total of 4,364 passengers can comfortably travel on the entire train. Three special features include the provision of bench-type seating arrangements, ensuring maximum comfort for passengers, and prioritizing passenger communication.
In emergency situations, Vande Metro coaches will be equipped with a passenger talk-back system to communicate with the train operator. Each coach will be equipped with a 14-sensor fire and smoke detection system. The coaches will feature wheelchair-accessible toilets for the convenience of differently-abled individuals. The train will be equipped with a collision avoidance system, an important measure to prevent accidents.