Global interest in India’s Vande Bharat trains: A Game-Changer for affordable, high-speed rail
- In Reports
- 02:13 PM, Sep 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
India’s Vande Bharat trains have caught the attention of countries such as Chile, Canada, and Malaysia, who are interested in importing these state-of-the-art trains. A report by PTI reveals that the Vande Bharat trains stand out due to their affordability and advanced features, making them an attractive option for international buyers.
One of the primary reasons for this growing interest is the cost-effectiveness of Vande Bharat trains. Similar high-speed trains manufactured in other countries typically cost between Rs 160 to Rs 180 crores per unit, but India produces the Vande Bharat trains for a much lower price, ranging from Rs 120 to Rs 130 crores. This significant price difference has caught the attention of many global buyers looking for a more affordable yet highly efficient train model.
Apart from the cost, the Vande Bharat trains are recognised for their superior performance. They can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 52 seconds, which is faster than even Japan’s famous bullet train which takes 54 seconds to reach the same speed. This speed advantage is a key selling point for countries looking to upgrade their railway systems with faster and more efficient trains.
The design of the Vande Bharat trains is another factor attracting international interest. These trains are designed with modern technology that ensures very low noise levels, making them 100 times quieter than an aircraft. Furthermore, they consume significantly less energy compared to other trains in their category, offering a more sustainable option for countries looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
India’s domestic railway system is also undergoing significant upgrades. Over the past decade, more than 31,000 kilometres of new tracks have been added to the network, and the Indian Railways plans to add an additional 40,000 kilometres in the coming years. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasised the government's commitment to expanding and modernising the rail network, ensuring that the Vande Bharat trains operate on a much larger and more efficient system.
Speaking about India's progress in the railway sector, Minister Vaishnaw also confirmed that the country's bullet train project is on track. This project, in collaboration with Japan, aims to revolutionise high-speed travel in India, connecting major cities with cutting-edge trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h.
In addition to expanding the track network, the Indian Railways is focusing on improving safety across the entire system. One of the major initiatives in this regard is the deployment of an indigenous automatic train protection system known as "Kavach." This system is designed to cover approximately 40,000 kilometres of the railway network and will be installed in 10,000 locomotives. Kavach is certified as Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4), which is one of the highest levels of safety certifications in railway systems. The Railways Ministry estimates that the deployment of Kavach will reduce accidents by 80 percent and significantly mitigate the risk of human error.
Several routes have already been equipped with Kavach. For example, the system has been commissioned on 632 kilometres of track between Mathura-Palwal and Mathura-Nagda, and another 108 kilometres on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur line. The Railways Ministry is conducting training courses for over 400 Chief Loco Inspectors on how to use the system, ensuring that staff is fully prepared to operate the technology.
Minister Vaishnaw also highlighted other safety initiatives, including more than 97,000 inspections of the railway infrastructure and the verification of 90,000 signal plans. Additionally, the ministry has renewed 2,500 kilometres of track, ensuring safer and smoother travel for passengers. The use of ultrasound testing to assess track and weld conditions has also been expanded, with 20 new Phased Array Ultrasound machines being introduced for testing.
Efforts to improve railway infrastructure extend to the rehabilitation of 990 railway bridges and the construction of 304 new flyovers and underpasses across the country. The Railways Ministry has also installed 5,300 fog safety devices to ensure safe train operations during low-visibility conditions. As part of its commitment to improving working conditions for railway staff, the ministry has increased the hardship allowance for trackmen by 25%, raising it from Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,375 per month.
The success of the Vande Bharat trains and the ongoing improvements in India’s railway infrastructure have placed the country on the global map as a leader in cost-effective and advanced rail technology. The growing international interest in these trains is a testament to the progress India has made in the railway sector, with potential buyers recognising Vande Bharat’s affordability, speed, and modern design as a major advantage for their own rail systems.
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