Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-vande-bharat-express-trains-gain-international-appeal-heres-why-foreign-buyers-are-interested-in-indian-railways-semi-high-speed-train-3624475/
Publisher: The Financial Express
Countries such as Chile, Canada, and Malaysia have expressed strong interest in importing Vande Bharat trains from India. According to a PTI report, sources indicate that external buyers are attracted to these trains for several compelling reasons.
Superior design and cost-effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is a significant factor; while trains with similar features produced in other countries typically range from Rs 160 to Rs 180 crores, India manufactures the Vande Bharat at a much lower cost, between Rs 120 to Rs 130 crores. Additionally, the Vande Bharat excels in speed, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 52 seconds, which outpaces Japan’s bullet train, which takes 54 seconds for the same speed.
The design of Vande Bharat trains is also reported to be superior to that of foreign competitors, producing noise levels one hundred times lower than aircraft and boasting low energy consumption.
Expanding rail network in India
Indian Railways is actively working to expand its track network and increase the number of trains in service. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that over the past decade, more than 31,000 kilometers of tracks have been added, with a target of an additional 40,000 kilometers.
Railways focus on speed and security
Vaishnav emphasised that progress on the bullet train project is on track. Addressing safety concerns, the Railways is focusing on deploying its indigenous automatic train protection system, Kavach, across the country. This system aims to cover around 40,000 kilometers of the network and will be installed in 10,000 locomotives. Kavach, which is Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certified, is expected to reduce accidents by 80 percent and mitigate human error.
The Minister also mentioned that tenders for 10,000 locomotives and 9,600 kilometers of track have been issued. Kavach has already been commissioned on several routes, including 632 kilometers between Mathura-Palwal and Mathura-Nagda, as well as 108 kilometers on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur line. Training courses for 426 Chief Loco Inspectors on Kavach are being conducted at IRISET.
Trial of Kavach system
Recently, Vaishnav reviewed a trial of the upgraded Kavach system between Sawai Madhopur and Indargarh in Rajasthan. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards, including 97,602 inspections, verification of 90,000 signal plans, and the renewal of 2,500 kilometers of track. Ultrasound testing is also being carried out across the network, with significant progress in track and weld assessments.
Vaishnav noted the introduction of 20 new Phased Array Ultrasound machines for testing welds, the rehabilitation of 990 railway bridges, and the construction of 304 flyovers and underpasses. Furthermore, 5,300 fog safety devices have been installed, and the hardship allowance for trackmen has been increased by 25%, from Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,375 per month.
