Vande Bharat – India’s Semi-High-Speed, Make-in-India Trainset

1. Technical Overview

• Train type: Self-propelled, air-conditioned EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) trainset
• Design platform: Train-18 → Vande Bharat (VB)
• Propulsion: 3-phase, IGBT-based VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) traction
• Axle load: 16.5 t (VB 1.0), 15.5 t (VB 2.0) – permits 130 kmph on existing track
• Material: Stainless-steel car-body with aluminium roof; crash-worthy “CEM” ends
• Couplers: Schaku 10-type semi-permanent; min. turning radius 125 m
• Brakes: Regenerative + electro-pneumatic disc; brake distance ≤ 1,000 m from 160 kmph

2. Key Specifications (as on 2024)

3. Historical Timeline

• Dec 2015: RDSO feasibility note “Train-18” to replace Shatabdi loco-hauled stock
• Aug 2017: Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai rolls-out shell-1
• Oct 2018: First trial run at 180 kmph; christened “Vande Bharat Express”
• 15 Feb 2019: Inaugural run: NDLS-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi (Train-18 renamed)
• 20 Oct 2019: VB-1, rake-2 flagged off on NDLS-Katra route
• Jul 2021: VB 2.0 design approved; lightweight SS body, 2×HP per coach, Wi-Fi 6
• 30 Sep 2022: First VB 2.0 (8-car) flagged off: Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam
• Jun 2023: 50th rake rolled out; 75 rakes target for Azadi-ka-Amrit-Mahotsav
• Dec 2023: Sleeper prototype unveiled by ICF; trials at 180 kmph
• 10 Feb 2024: VB attains 100-rake milestone; 1 crore passenger mark crossed
• May 2024: Amrit Bharat push: 400 VB rakes by 2025; LHB line converted to VB at RCF & MCF

4. Salient Features

• ERTMS/LRDS: Ready for future ETCS-2 signalling
• Kavach: Auto train-protection fitted (2023 onward)
• Toilets: 100% bio-vacuum; 4×Divyang-friendly units
• Infotainment: 32” LCD, on-board Wi-Fi 6, GPS-based PAS
• Passenger comfort: 180° rotating seats, C-Camera, diffused LED, allergen-free HVAC
• Safety: Fire & smoke detection, 5% CO₂ suppression in electrical cubicles
• Maintenance: 4,000 km/15-day pit attention; 45-day IOH, 18-month POH

5. Production & Deployment (as on 31 May 2024)

• Total rakes: 102 (8-coach: 52; 16-coach: 50)
• Manufacturers: ICF (76), RCF (18), MCF (8)
• Routes operational: 52 (connecting 256 districts, 24 states/UTs)
• Top-5 longest runs:
  1. Rani Kamalapati (RKMP)-NZM 701 km
  2. MAS-MYS 496 km
  3. ADI-MUM Central 493 km
  4. BSP-NZM 468 km
  5. TVC-KRBA 447 km
• Average occupancy: 108% (FY 23-24)
• Carbon saving: ~0.72 lakh t CO₂ vs diesel Shatabdi (cumulative)

6. Recent Updates (2024)

• Jan: Vande Bharat Sleeper (VBS) achieves 180 kmph during oscillation trials at NCR’s T-18 track
• Mar: Indian Railways floats tender for 200 aluminium-body VB 2.0 (160 kmph) under Make-in-India
• Apr: 1st VB 2.0 (8-car) exported to Nigeria (gift)
• Jun: Kavach-4 retro-fit completed on all 102 rakes; VB becomes 1st all-TP fleet

Multiple-Choice Questions (RRB Pattern)

1. The Vande Bharat trainset was originally code-named
   A) Train-20 B) Train-18 C) Project-SHSP D) Mission-Rail

2. Maximum operational speed permitted for Vande Bharat on Indian Railways is
   A) 130 kmph B) 160 kmph C) 180 kmph D) 200 kmph

3. Which Integral Coach Factory first rolled out the Vande Bharat rake?
   A) Kapurthala B) Perambur (ICF) C) Raebareli D) Bhopal

4. The traction equipment of Vande Bharat is supplied by
   A) BHEL B) Alstom C) Medha D) Siemens

5. How many driving (motored) coaches are there in a 16-coach VB consist?
   A) 4 B) 6 C) 8 D) 10

6. Vande Bharat uses which type of couplers?
   A) AAR B) CBC C) Schaku semi-permanent D) Scharfenberg

7. The lightweight version (VB 2.0) has an axle load of
   A) 16.5 t B) 15.5 t C) 14.5 t D) 13.5 t

8. Which of the following routes was the first Vande Bharat Express inaugurated on?
   A) New Delhi–Katra B) New Delhi–Varanasi C) Mumbai–Ahmedabad D) Chennai–Mysuru

9. Vande Bharat Sleeper (VBS) prototype was unveiled in
   A) 2021 B) 2022 C) 2023 D) 2024

10. The energy consumption of VB 2.0 8-car is approximately
    A) 0.06 B) 0.05 C) 0.042 D) 0.030 kWh per seat-km

11. Vande Bharat is fitted with which automatic train protection system?
    A) ETCS B) TPWS C) Kavach D) ASFA

12. The 100th Vande Bharat rake was rolled out in
    A) Aug 2023 B) Oct 2023 C) Feb 2024 D) May 2024

13. The cost of one 16-coach VB 2.0 rake is roughly
    A) ₹75 cr B) ₹97 cr C) ₹115 cr D) ₹150 cr

14. Which of the following is NOT a feature of VB 2.0?
    A) 180° rotating seats B) Bio-vacuum toilets C) Dual-mode loco capability D) GPS passenger announcement

15. As of June 2024, total number of operational Vande Bharat rakes is
    A) 75 B) 102 C) 125 D) 150

16. The design speed of Vande Bharat Sleeper is
    A) 160 kmph B) 180 kmph C) 200 kmph D) 220 kmph

17. Vande Bharat 2.0 (8-coach) was first deployed on which section?
    A) Bilaspur–Nagpur B) Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam C) Howrah–Puri D) Bengaluru–Chennai

18. The official inauguration date of the maiden Vande Bharat Express was
    A) 26 Jan 2019 B) 15 Feb 2019 C) 01 Mar 2019 D) 05 Apr 2019