Vande Metro trains to be rolled out by July for safe and comfortable, short-distance intercity travel at 130 kmph
Indian Railways will be launching the Vande Metro soon, enhancing India’s railway infrastructure. Inspired by the success of the Vande Bharat Express, the Vande Metro, also known as the Vande Bharat Metro, is designed for short-distance intercity travel, promising a faster and more comfortable journey for commuters.
According to reports, the first trial run is scheduled for July 2024, covering distances of 100 to 250 kilometers. The project was announced in February 2023 by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Currently, two prototypes are under construction at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These prototypes are expected to be completed soon and will undergo rigorous testing before their official launch.
Features of the Vande Metro
- The Vande Metro is a self-propelled train set that does not require a separate locomotive, capable of operating at a top speed of 130 km/h, setting a new standard for Mainline EMU trains.
- The coaches are fully air-conditioned with modern amenities, including spacious gangways, dust-free environments, and lightweight aluminum luggage racks.
- Each coach can accommodate 100 seated passengers and has standing room for an additional 200 travelers.
- The train also boasts features such as automatic entry and exit doors, mobile charging sockets, and state-of-the-art Passenger Information Systems equipped with LCD displays. Safety features include the KAVACH anti-collision system.
Initially, the Vande Metro is expected to operate on routes such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Bhubaneswar-Balasore, and Tirupati-Chennai, bridging distances of 100 to 250 kilometers and linking 124 key cities nationwide.
