Vande Metro To Roll Out Soon: Its Features, Photos, Facilities And More

The Indian Railways is expected to launch the highly-anticipated Vande Metro in July to bolster the south Asian nation's inter-city connectivity, while prioritizing two aspects-shorter journey time, and comfort of passengers onboard.

"All preparations are going on to start its trial run from July 2024 so that its services can be offered to people as soon as possible," a senior railway official said as cited in a PTI report.

Based on the latest technology to acquire high acceleration and deceleration which will help it cover more stoppages in less time, according to a PTI report. This development comes on the backs of a successful run of Vande Bharat trains in the country.

The initial trial run will cover distances between 100 to 250 kilometers. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced this project in February 2023. Currently, two prototypes are being constructed at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These prototypes will undergo extensive testing before their official launch.

Expected features on Vande Metro

The initial trial run will cover distances between 100 to 250 kilometers. Union Minister of Railways of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, had announced this project in February last year. Currently, two prototypes are being constructed at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These prototypes will undergo extensive testing before their official launch.

The Vande Metro is a self-propelled train set, meaning it does not require a separate locomotive. It will operate at a top speed of 130 kmph, setting a new benchmark for Mainline EMU trains. The train features fully air-conditioned interiors, modern amenities, spacious gangways, dust-free environments, and lightweight aluminum luggage racks. Each coach can accommodate 100 seated passengers and provide standing room for an additional 200 travelers.

Additional features include automatic entry and exit doors, mobile charging sockets, and advanced Passenger Information Systems (PIS) with LCD displays. Safety is also a priority, with the inclusion of the KAVACH anti-collision system.

In its initial phase, the Vande Metro will operate on routes such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Bhubaneswar-Balasore, and Tirupati-Chennai, according to media reports.