Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express (Train-18)
Overview
Vande Bharat Express is Indian Railways’ first indigenous semi-high-speed, self-propelled (engine-less) train-set. Designed & built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, it marks a paradigm shift from conventional loco-hauled trains to modern distributed-power train-sets capable of 180 km/h operational speed.
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1st Train-set rolled out | October 2018 by ICF Chennai |
| Flag-off date & route | 15 Feb 2019: NDLS–Varanasi (VB 22436/37) |
| Inaugurated by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Designed under | ‘Make in India’, ICF in 18 months |
| Propulsion | Self-propelled (Distributed Power) |
| Max. Design Speed | 180 km/h |
| Max. Operational Speed | 160 km/h (permitted) |
| Average end-to-end speed | 95–110 km/h (varies by section) |
| Traction | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead |
| Coaches | 8/16 stainless-steel, fully air-conditioned |
| Seating classes | Chair Car (CC) & Executive Chair Car (EC) |
| Seat capacity (16-coach) | 1,128 passengers (EC-52, CC-1,076) |
| Automatic doors | Plug-type, 650 mm wide, GPS-based |
| On-board infotainment | Passenger info system, Wi-Fi, CCTVs |
| GPS-based | Public Address / Passenger Info System |
| Reversal time | 0 min (no loco reversal) |
| Acceleration | 0-100 km/h in 52 s (faster than Gatimaan) |
| Regenerative braking | 35 % energy saving |
| Mini-pantry | Hot-cold vending machines, oven |
| Vande Bharat 2.0 | 25 Aug 2022; improved AC, KAVACH ready |
| Sleeper prototype | VB-Sleeper flagged Oct 2023 (16 berths) |
| Total in service (Dec 2025) | 58 services on 58 routes (longest: Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod 622 km) |
| Fare structure | Fare = Rajdhani base + 15 % (Chair Car) / + 50 % (EC) – Superfast & GST extra |
Important Points (Quick Revision)
- First run between New Delhi & Varanasi (759 km) in 8 hrs 00 min.
- World-class ride index ≤ 2.5 (same as European EMUs).
- Rotating seats in Executive Class (middle row can align direction).
- 100 % LED lighting; dust-sealed vestibules; vacuum toilets.
- Driver cab has airline-style joystick control; single-button start.
- Fire & smoke detection system in HVAC ducts.
- Can climb 1:50 gradient without helper.
- Saves ~Rs 1 crore/yr in maintenance vs LHB+loco.
- VB 2.0 has ‘KAVACH’ (TPWS) equipment pre-fitted for safety.
- Each coach 22.4 m long, 3.2 m wide; gangway width 1.1 m.
- Stainless-steel body & aluminium interiors for corrosion resistance.
- ICF target: 75 sets by Mar 2024; 200 sets/yr thereafter.
- Sleeper version retains same 180 km/h design speed.
- Project executed without foreign consultancy – 100 % domestic IP.
- PM Modi called it “a symbol of New India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- Which factory manufactured the first Vande Bharat train-set? → ICF, Chennai.
- What is the top operational speed permitted by RDSO? → 160 km/h.
- Which safety equipment is factory-fitted in VB 2.0? → KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System).
- How much time is saved at terminus due to absence of loco reversal? → ~20-30 min.
- Under which initiative was the project undertaken? → Make in India.
Practice MCQs
(click to reveal answer)
1. Vande Bharat Express is popularly known by which project name?
Train-18
2. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Vande Bharat 2.0?
a) KAVACH ready b) Re-generative braking c) Bio-vacuum toilets d) Diesel back-up engine
Ans: d) Diesel back-up engine
3. The inaugural Vande Bharat run connected which two stations?
New Delhi & Varanasi
4. What is the maximum design speed of Vande Bharat train-set?
180 km/h
5. Which class fares are used as base for VB fare computation?
Rajdhani Express
6. The 16-coach VB rake can seat approximately how many passengers?
1,128
7. Vande Bharat uses 25 kV AC Overhead equipment. True or False?
True
8. Which braking system helps VB save about 35 % traction energy?
Regenerative braking
9. The stainless-steel car shells are manufactured at:
ICF, Chennai
10. The sleeper version prototype of Vande Bharat was unveiled in which year?
2023
BETA
