07-09-2021 | 12:57 PM
Vande Bharat Express
Context: The Indian Railways plans to operate 102 Vande Bharat trains by March 2024.
About Vande Bharat Express:
• The Train18, later named Vande Bharat Express, was rolled out by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai under the Make in India initiative. The train was launched on 15 February 2019. It was showcased as India’s first semi high-speed train with the operational efficiency of 160 kmph.
• As of Aug 2021, the Indian Railways operates two Vande Bharat trains, one from Delhi to Varanasi and the other from Delhi to Katra. Vande Bharat trains are self-propelled “engineless” train sets.
• Its faster acceleration and deceleration results in reduced train travel time.
• Some of its passenger-friendly features include; European-style seats, diffused LED lighting, GPS-based infotainment systems, modular bio-toilets, fully sealed gangways for the dust-free environment, centrally controlled entry/exit doors with sliding footsteps, divyang friendly toilet, and automatic sliding cabin doors.
