Vande Bharat's Non-AC Sadharan Trains Reach Mumbai For Trial Run

The newly introduced Vande Sadharan push-pull train arrived at Wadi Bunder Yard, Mumbai on Sunday, October 29. It will be tested in this week.

According to the report, the trials are expected to take place in the Mumbai-Nashik corridor, with a focus on hilly areas. One possible route for the train would probably be Mumbai-Delhi. The report said officials did not respond to questions.

Vande Sadharan push-pull train can run at a speed of up to 130 km per hour. The 22 coach LHB Non-AC 3-Tier Sleeper train is set to provide affordable fare to the passengers. The train has a capacity to carry 1,800 passengers.

The coaches will be equipped with modern facilities like bio vacuum toilets, passenger information system and charging points at every seat. There will be CCTV cameras in every coach to strengthen the security of passengers.

The train will have automatic door system like in Vande Bharat Express.

This is for the first time that CCTV camera, bio-vacuum toilets and automatic doors are being provided in non-AC train.

The Railways has faced criticism from some quarters for launching Vande Bharat trains which is perceived as an elite service with higher fare. However, Vande Sadharan service is expected to be on normal fare.

More sleeper Vande Bharat trains to arrive

In an announcement made on October 12, Railway Board Secretary Milind Deuskar said that Indian Railways is planning to launch Vande Bharat Sleeper coaches and Vande Bharat Metro, PTI reported. "We are planning Vande Bharat Sleeper and Vande Bharat Metro trains to meet the throughput, speed and convenience expectations," he said during an address at the CII Rail Conference.

Indian Railways has outlined a production plan for 102 Vande Bharat rakes, in which 35 rakes will be produced in 2022-2023 and 67 in 2023-2024. According to PTI report, these rakes will be manufactured in Integral Coach Factory, Rail Coach Factory and Modern Coach Factory.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier also shared images of the 'Concept train-Vande Bharat (sleeper version)' on social media.

Each Vande Bharat Express sleeper train is designed for speeds of up to 160 km per hour and will consist of 16 coaches, accommodating approximately 887 passengers.