Vande Bharat Express: The Roadmap to 4,500 Trainsets by 2047 for UPSC
Q. With reference to the 'Vande Bharat Express', consider the following statements:
1. It is India's first indigenously designed semi-high-speed trainset with nearly 90% localisation.
2. The 'KAVACH' system integrated into the train is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
3. The latest 'Sleeper' variant of Vande Bharat is designed to operate on the inaugural route between New Delhi and Varanasi.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
The Vande Bharat Express platform has reached a significant milestone with 164 trainsets operational across 274 districts by December 2025. Moving into January 2026, the Indian Railways is set to launch the Vande Bharat Sleeper variant, marking a shift from medium-distance day travel to long-distance overnight connectivity.
What is Vande Bharat Express?
Vande Bharat is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed trainset. Built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) with approximately 90% localisation, it is a flagship project of the Make in India initiative.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Speed: Designed for a maximum speed of 160–180 kmph.
- Ride Quality: Uses semi-permanent jerk-free couplers and improved suspension.
- Sustainability: Features regenerative braking and UV-C lamp-based disinfection systems.
- Safety: Integrated with KAVACH, India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system certified to SIL-4 standards.
Evolution of the Vande Bharat Platform
The platform is evolving through progressive iterations to enhance performance and passenger experience:
- Version 1.0 (2019): Launched on the New Delhi–Varanasi route (15 Feb 2019).
- Version 2.0 (2022): Lighter model (392 tonnes vs 430 tonnes) with faster acceleration.
- Version 3.0 (Current): Achieves 0–100 kmph in 52 seconds, comparable to global standards in Japan and Europe.
- Version 4.0 (Upcoming): Envisaged to incorporate KAVACH 5.0 and designed for future dedicated high-speed corridors.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: The Latest Milestone
Scheduled for launch in January 2026, the Sleeper variant extends the platform's utility to long-distance travel.
- Inaugural Route: Howrah (West Bengal) to Guwahati (Assam).
- Time Saving: Reducing travel time from 17 hours to 14 hours (estimated savings of 3 hours).
- Configuration: 16 AC coaches (1 AC First Class, 4 AC Two-Tier, 11 AC Three-Tier) with a capacity of 823 passengers.
Onboard Cuisine and Regional Identity
From December 2025, Indian Railways introduced regional cuisines to reflect India’s diverse culinary heritage. Passengers can now enjoy local specialties such as Kanda Poha (Maharashtra), Kodi Kura (Andhra Pradesh), Methi Thepla (Gujarat), and Kesar Phirni (Kashmir) depending on the route.
Looking Ahead: 2030 and 2047 Targets
The government has outlined a clear roadmap for scaling domestic rail manufacturing:
- By 2030: Target of operating 800 Vande Bharat trainsets.
- By 2047 (Viksit Bharat): Goal to scale the fleet to 4,500 trainsets, serving as a pillar of economic integration and sustainable mobility.
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Reasoning: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the inaugural route for the Vande Bharat Sleeper (launched Jan 2026) is between Howrah and Guwahati. New Delhi–Varanasi was the first route for the original day-chair version launched in 2019.
Mains perspective
"Modern transport systems like Vande Bharat are critical enablers of economic integration and inclusive national development." Analyze the significance of indigenously developed rail technology for India's aim of achieving 'Atmanirbharta' by 2047. (150 words)