Vande Sadharan Express

This article is about Amrit Bharat Express services offered by Indian Railways. For the trainset, see Amrit Bharat (trainset).

Amrit Bharat Express
India's semi-high speed successor variant of Vande Bharat Express trains
Overview
Service typeSuperFast Express Train
StatusYet to be Operational
First service30 December 2023; 0 days' time (30 December 2023) (Inaugural)
Websiteindianrail.gov.in
Route
Line(s) used02 (Upcoming)
On-board services
Class(es)Sleeper Class Coach (SL)
General Unreserved Coach (GS)
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilities(TBC)
Entertainment facilities
Other facilities
Technical
Rolling stockAmrit Bharat (trainset)
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationLocomotives - 25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) (Maximum)
Average length23.54 m (77.2 ft) (each) and 22 coaches
Rake maintenanceLocomotives - Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW)
Coaches - Integral Coach Factory (ICF)

The Amrit Bharat Express[1] is an upcoming no-frills superfast express service operated by Indian Railways. It is a non-AC Sleeper Cum Unreserved Class service that is designed to cost less and serve longer distances.[2] These are planned to be night express train services that will connect Indian cities that are at distances of more than 800 km (500 mi) or take more than ten hours to travel with existing services. The trainset can support very-high speeds but due to the railway track speed capacity, multiple stoppages, and traffic congestion, the operating speed of the services are limited in the range of 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph).

The trainset consists of 2 Locomotives manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, one of the largest locomotive manufacturing units in India, and the 22 coaches are manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), one of the five rake production units of Indian Railways.[3] The 22-coach trainset will be capable of handling approximately 1,800 passengers throughout its journey.

The first service is proposed to be launched by 30 December 2023.[4][5][6]

Background

Indian railways had announced plans[when?] to make a non-AC Amrit Bharat Express with sleeper and general coaches for long-distance travel, slated to replace Antyodaya Express, Jan Sadharan Express and LHB coached trains. This train will have 22 LHB coaches and two WAP-5 Locomotives at the front and rear ends (push-pull configuration) to ensure efficient acceleration and to eliminate the need of switching the locomotive at the terminal stations, thereby reducing the travel time. The WAP5 locomotive has been upgraded with aerodynamic frontal nose, flat rear nose, a crew friendly console and cab, anthropogenic crew seats, integrated converter and hotel load converter, Kavach,RTS, CVVRS, air-conditioning, WTB enabled for push- pull operation. These 4 locomotives are first of its kind in Indian Railways developed exclusively for this requirement. The HOG arrangement eliminate the need for diesel generators in the train. These two locomotives develop double tractive effort and thus provide much higher acceleration.[7] The trains are manufactured by ICF, Chennai at the cost of ₹65 crore (US$8.1 million).[8][9]

Facilities

This express train consists of 22 coaches, of which 12 coaches are Non-AC Sleeper Class (SL), 8 General Unreserved Class (GS/UR) and 2 Luggage Coaches (EOGs).[10] These coaches have a sealed gangway to provide safe transition between coaches and to reduce noise and vibrations. They are also equipped with CCTV Cameras, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps, a passenger information system, electric outlets, LED lights, and the fans and switches have a modern design. A mobile charging point for every seat is also provided.[11]

Comparison with Vande Bharat Express

Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express are two entirely different trains operated for different purposes while matching only in colour and naming scheme.[12]

Train
Feature
 Amrit Bharat Express Vande Bharat Express
Train type
Locomotive hauled (Push-Pull) train
Electric multiple unit
Service
Long distances (>1000 km)
Medium Distances (500 km average)
Classes
12 Sleeper and 8 Unreserved
14 Chair car and 2 Executive
Maximum Speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
160 km/h (99 mph)
Air conditioning No Yes
On-board catering No Yes
Automatic doors No Yes
Sealed gangway Yes Yes
Safety features
  • CCTV cameras
  • CCTV Cameras
  • Smoke alarms
  • Electrical fire safety
  • Centralised coach monitoring system
  • Passenger voice communication
  • Disaster management lights
Other features
  • Electric outlets
  • Bio vacuum toilets
  • Sensor-based water taps
  • Passenger information system
  • Electric outlets
  • Bio vacuum toilets
  • Sensor-based water taps
  • Passenger information system
  • Reclining seats
  • Reading light
  • Foot-rest
  • Onboard-wifi
  • Entertainment Systems
  • Odour control system
Ticket cost Low High

Speed restrictions

The research and testing wing of Indian Railways known as RDSO has determined that following maximum permissible operating speeds for different categories of passenger coaches:

  • ICF coaches - 110 Kmph
  • LHB non-AC coaches - 130 Kmph
  • LHB AC coaches - 160 Kmph

However these maximum speeds are permitted only if the respective route's tracks are maintained up to the required standards and are fit for such speeds.

Therefore, the Amrit Bharat Express being a LHB non-AC train can operate at a maximum permissible speed (MPS) of 130 Kmph only and that too only on 130 MPS fit sections of the route. But most of the Indian railway tracks are not capable of supporting this speed so these trains will run at lower maximum permissible speed which is 100-110 Kmph on various sections.[13][7]

Services

As of December 2023, these are the Amrit Bharat Express train services to be launched.

Sr. no. Train name Train number Originating station Terminal station Operator Frequency Distance Travel time Speed Inauguration
Maximum permitted[a] Average[b]
1 Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express 15557/15558 Darbhanga Junction Anand Vihar Terminal ECR Bi-Weekly 1,137 km (706 mi) 21hrs 35mins 130 km/h (81 mph) (TBC) 55 km/h (34 mph) 30 December 2023[14]
2 Malda Town–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express 13434/13433 Malda Town SMVT Bengaluru ER Once a Week 2,247 km (1,396 mi) 42hrs 10mins 130 km/h (81 mph) (TBC) 55 km/h (34 mph)
  1. ^ Maximum permissible speed over different sections is approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety taking into consideration the condition of track, bridges, curvature and gradient. This speed limit shall not be exceeded under any circumstances. In case of late running, a Loco Pilot may run up to the maximum permissible speed subject to other restrictions in force.
  2. ^ Includes stops and traffic congestion.

Other proposed services

[citation needed]

  1. Sitamarhi - Ayodhya
  2. Mumbai - Jaunpur
  3. Mumbai - Patna
  4. Mumbai - New Delhi
  5. Gomti Nagar - Katra
  6. Gomti Nagar - Mumbai
  7. Gomti Nagar - Puri
  8. Lucknow - New Delhi
  9. Lucknow - Gorakhpur
  10. Lucknow - Varanasi
  11. Patna - New Delhi
  12. Howrah - New Delhi
  13. Hyderabad - New Delhi
  14. Ernakulam - Guwahati
  15. Tambaram - Howrah
  16. Jammu - Chennai
  17. Siwan - New Delhi
  18. Siwan - Kolkata

See also

References

  1. ^ Pandey, Sharad (10 November 2023). "देश की पहली अमृतभारत ट्रेन का ट्रायल पूरा, किस रूट पर चलेगी, जानें". News18 (in Hindi). Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Here's a first look of the 22-coach Vande Sadharan Express train, all set to hit the tracks by October-end". The Times of India. 13 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ Athrady, Ajith (10 July 2023). "Indian Railways to produce non-AC Vande Sadharan trains". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  4. ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate 'Amrit Bharat Express' on Dec 30. All you need to know about this 'sleeper Vande Bharat' train". Hindustan Times. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  5. ^ "PM Modi to inaugurates of 2 Amrit Bharat Express trains on December 30". Zee News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  6. ^ ""PM Modi to soon flag off Amrit Bharat train with 'Push-Pull' tech", says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw". ANI News. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Indian Railways To Soon Launch Budget-Friendly Non-AC VANDE SADHARN Train". 3 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Indian Railways: What is Vande Sadharan Train? What are its similarities with Vande Bharat train?". Zee Business. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Vande Sadharan Express to Begin Services Soon; Know More - PUNE PULSE". 29 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Vande Sadharan train: All you need to know; How it is different from Vande Bharat train?". Business Today. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Vande Sadharan Express: Here's All About It - Design, Coaches, Routes, Top Speed, Features". Zee News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Vande Sadharan Vs Vande Bharat Express: 5 Key Differences". 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Cheaper Travel From Mumbai to Ahmedabad: Vande Sadharan Express Clocks 130kmph Speed During Trial". TimesNow. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  14. ^ "पटरी पर दौड़ेगीं डबल इंजन वाली 2 अमृत-भारत एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनें:रफ्तार 130 kmph, PM मोदी 30 दिसंबर को हरी झंडी दिखाएंगे". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 25 December 2023.

External links