Vande Bharat sleeper train. Image Credit: @AshwiniVaishnaw
The country is producing 10 Vande Bharat sleeper trains for long-distance and medium-distance travel. The first prototype is ready. It’s being tested. Apart from this, the manufacturing of 200 Vande Bharat sleeper rakes has also been entrusted to the technical partner. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave this information in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said the schedule of train operations depends on the successful completion of the trials. By December 2, 2024, there will be 136 Vande Bharat train services providing short and medium distance travel across the country on the broad gauge electrified network of Indian Railways. By October 2024, the total occupancy of Vande Bharat Express trains will exceed 100%.
LHB bus production continues to grow
He revealed that since April 2018, the production units of Indian Railways are producing only LHB coaches. The production of LHB buses has been increasing over the past few years. The number of LHB buses produced in 2014-24 (36,933 units) was 16 times that of 2004-14 (2,337 units).
The Railway Minister told the Lok Sabha that Indian Railways has increased its fleet of LHB coaches, which are technologically advanced and have features such as anti-climb devices, air suspension with fault indication system and non-corrosive casings, and are currently producing 10 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches. train.
Railway Minister revealed this information
He disclosed that the work of manufacturing 200 units of Vande Bharat sleeper rakes has been given to technical partners. Indian Railways is manufacturing only LHB coaches from April 2018 to provide world-class travel experience. As part of its Sugamya Bharat mission, Indian Railways provides extensive facilities for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility in most Mail/Express trains and Vande Bharat trains.
Reply to SP MP’s question
Apart from this, the Railway Minister also revealed information about the incidents of splitting of Kisan Express and Magadh Express into two parts in August and September. He told us it happened due to rust on part of the coupler. SP MP Anand Bhadauria asked about the incidents at Kisan Express and Magadh Express.
He asked whether the government was investigating the incident where the train was split into two parts. In this regard, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that these accidents in these trains were due to rusted coupler parts. In order to solve such problems, people began to use corrosion-resistant materials.