Face of Vande Bharat to change; These facilities beyond expectations

NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the latest photos of Vande Bharat. He said this is a new generation train that will make night journeys more comfortable and has improved facilities.

All coaches and the loco pilot’s cabin have been equipped with improved suspension systems. New semi-automatic couplers have also been installed to reduce the vibrations during the journey. The train has also been equipped with CCTV cameras, newly designed seats, and modern toilets that do not waste water excessively. A new pantry arrangement and separate berths for employees on duty have been provided.

Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the aim is to make trains a more comfortable and reliable means of travel for the common man travelling long distances.

The first service of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains will start by the end of this month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train. The Vande Bharat sleepers are fully air-conditioned trains launched by the Indian Railways for long-distance night journeys. The minister said that two Vande Bharat sleepers are already ready and their trial runs have been completed.

These will operate on routes ranging from 1200 to 1500 km. The first service will be on the Guwahati-Kolkata route. This route includes Kaura and Kamakhya. Each Vande Bharat sleeper train will have 16 coaches. It will also include four AC two-tier coaches and one AC first class coach. The total passenger capacity is 823, the railways said. Ashwini Vaishnaw said that eight more Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be launched in the next six months, taking the total number of sleeper trains to 12 by the end of the year.

The fare of the Vande Bharat sleeper train for a one-way journey on the Guwahati-Kolkata route will start from Rs 2300. The fare is Rs 2300 for AC three-tier and Rs 3600 for AC first class.