India to launch 280 km/h high-speed trains following Vande Bharat success

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, in partnership with BEML, is working on the design and manufacturing of high-speed trains with a maximum design speed of 280 kmph. Following the success of the Vande Bharat trains, the Indian Railways (IR) has now taken up the ambitious task of creating these advanced, high-speed train sets under the "Make in India" initiative.

"The manufacturing cost is approximately Rs 28 crore per car (excluding taxes), which is highly competitive compared with other train sets," said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament on Wednesday. "The design and manufacturing of high-speed train sets is a complex and technology-intensive process," the minister added.

Major technical aspects of the high-speed trains include the design of an aerodynamic, airtight car body to reduce air resistance at high speeds. Other features include the development of electrical systems and propulsion technology tailored for high-speed applications, as well as efforts to optimise the weight of the trains. The trains will also include advanced heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for enhanced comfort.

"The train sets will have chair cars with best-in-class features, such as aerodynamic exteriors, sealed gangways, automatic doors, optimum climatic conditions inside compartments for passenger comfort, CCTV, mobile-charging facilities, optimum lighting, fire safety equipment etc.," Vaishnaw said. A more accurate timeline for the completion of the high-speed train project will be available once the final design details are finalised.

Agency