Guwahati, May 27: The Indian government has announced plans to introduce Vande Bharat trains to all states in the coming month, except for the seven states in the North East where the railway network is yet to be fully electrified. This move is expected to bring faster and more efficient travel options to several cities across the country.
Currently, Vande Bharat trains have been deployed in 21 states and Union Territories, revolutionizing rail travel with their semi-high-speed capabilities.
The government aims to expand the reach of these trains further, with the launch of three new routes in the near future. The upcoming routes include New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati, Ranchi-Patna, and Mumbai-Goa.
At present, there are 17 operational Vande Bharat trains, and according to officials, one train is undergoing trials, another has been dispatched from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), and a spare rake is available in the Delhi region.
The success and popularity of these trains have prompted increased demand for their services, leading to plans for the introduction of more intercity routes in the future. While the existing Vande Bharat trains primarily focus on providing faster and more comfortable journeys for passengers, the introduction of sleeper facilities is expected to be a game-changer.
The Indian Railways aims to launch the first sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat train in either March or April of next year. These sleeper trains are likely to operate on major Rajdhani routes, further revolutionizing long-distance travel and offering enhanced comfort for passengers.
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The Vande Bharat trains have already made a significant impact in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. The forthcoming launch of the New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati route will extend this connectivity to Assam as well.
The expansion of the Vande Bharat train network is part of the government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and providing efficient travel options to citizens.
These trains have proven to be a reliable and preferred mode of transport, offering speed, comfort, and convenience. The government’s focus on extending its reach to more cities and regions demonstrates its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of passengers across the country.
The expansion of Vande Bharat trains across the country has brought much-needed connectivity to numerous states, but the northeastern states continue to face challenges due to incomplete electrification of their railway networks.
While Vande Bharat trains are set to reach all other states within the next month, the seven states in the Northeast have been excluded from this development. This disparity in connectivity highlights an ongoing issue that the region faces, hindering its integration with the rest of the country.