In a bid to transform intra-city transportation, the Indian Railways is gearing up to introduce India’s pioneering Vande Bharat Metro, a senior official involved in the project revealed. This announcement follows the successful integration of the Vande Bharat Express trains into India’s railway infrastructure, marking a significant stride towards modernizing the country’s transportation sector.
Summer Travel Surge Highlights Railways’ Challenges
As India’s railway network experiences a surge in summer travel, with over 41 crore passengers commuting by train in April alone, officials underscore the strain on existing services. Against this backdrop, the introduction of the Vande Bharat Metro aims to alleviate congestion and enhance efficiency within urban transit systems.
Trail Run and Technological Advancements
Preparations for the Vande Bharat Metro are well underway, with plans for its trial run slated to commence from July 2024. Leveraging cutting-edge technology for rapid acceleration and deceleration, the Vande Metro is poised to optimize stoppage times, catering to the dynamic pace of urban life.
Features and Coach Configuration
The Vande Bharat Metro will boast a distinctive coach configuration, comprising four coaches per unit, with a complete train consisting of a minimum of 12 coaches. Initially, a 12-coach configuration will be introduced, with the flexibility to expand to 16 coaches based on route demand, ensuring scalability and adaptability to evolving commuter needs.
Future Expansion and City Selection
While the initial focus remains on the rollout of the 12-coach Vande Bharat Metro, plans for expansion to 16 coaches are contingent upon the demand and requirements of each city. The selection of the inaugural city to receive the Vande Bharat Metro is currently under deliberation, with further details to be announced in due course.
With the impending launch of the Vande Bharat Metro, Indian Railways charts a new course towards modernizing urban transportation infrastructure. Equipped with advanced features and tailored to meet the evolving needs of commuters, the Vande Bharat Metro promises to redefine the commuter experience, ushering in a new era of efficient and sustainable intra-city travel.
