Vande Sadharan: Indian Railways’ New Budget-Friendly Train
Indian Railways is known for its innovation and excellence in providing safe, comfortable and affordable travel options to millions of passengers every day. After the successful launch of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat train, which offers premium amenities and services, Indian Railways is now ready to roll out a more economical version of the same train, called Vande Sadharan.
The name Vande Sadharan, which means “common people’s salute”, reflects the objective behind this initiative: to cater to the needs and aspirations of the common man who travels in long-distance trains. The Vande Sadharan trains will have unreserved general class, upgraded second class and second class sleeper coaches, with standard fares that are more budget-friendly than the Vande Bharat trains.
However, this does not mean that the Vande Sadharan trains will compromise on quality or comfort. The coaches in Vande Sadharan trains will come equipped with modern facilities like bio-vacuum toilets, passenger information systems, charging points, CCTV cameras and automatic doors. The coaches will also be based on the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) design, which ensures better safety and stability.
The manufacturing of the Vande Sadharan trains is currently underway at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, at an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore per train. The first Vande Sadharan train is expected to be rolled out by the end of this year or early next year. The routes and destinations for the Vande Sadharan trains are yet to be decided by the Indian Railways.
The launch of the Vande Sadharan trains is a significant step by the Indian Railways to provide more affordable and accessible travel options to the masses, while also enhancing their travel experience with upgraded coaches and modern amenities. The Vande Sadharan trains will not only boost the connectivity and mobility of the country, but also showcase the technological prowess and innovation of the Indian Railways.
