Several new trains and coaches planned for Indian Railways in the coming 2 to 3 years.
Many new trains, such as, Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, Namo Bharat rapid rails, and general non-AC coaches planned for Indian Railways in the coming two or three years after continued big allocation of funds to the railways in the Union Budget, with a focus on safety.
As per the recent report by the Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India, on 01 February 2025, India can expect 200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, 50 Namo Bharat rapid rail and 17,500 general non AC coaches in next two to three years time, thanks to the big allocation of 2,52,000 crore rupees for the financial year (FY) 2025-26 in Union Budget, which is a large fund allocation for the railways for a second time in a row.
The new trains and modern coaches will not only revolutionise railway travel experience for everyone but also go a long way in serving the low and middle class people, as the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw added.
Vande Bharat Express trains are India's first-ever indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high speed trains that offer a more modern and comfortable rail travel experience. Vande Bharat trains are not only high speed trains, but they also have advanced safety features and world-class services, such as passenger amenities.
Vande Bharat Express is a reserved, air-conditioned chair car service that runs between major cities which are typically with less than 10 hours of journey between them. Vande Bharat Sleeper express is also set to be started soon. Currently, 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, which are a longer distance and overnight version of the Vande Bharat Express trainset, are under production.
As of now in early February 2025, there are 136 Vande Bharat trains, in just 6 years since they began in 2019, and it now covers 333 districts in 24 states and 4.2 crore (42 million) passengers have travelled by Vande Bharat so far, as per a report on New India Samachar. Indian Railways is also planning to run Vande Bharat Sleeper, which is a sleeper-class version of it, for long and medium-distance travel.
Amrit Bharat Express trains are a new class of super-fast passenger trains, which are non-air-conditioned and low cost, with sleeper as well as unreserved coaches. Amrit Bharat Express trains are like a sleeper edition of the high-speed Vande Bharat trains. Amrit Bharat train is an LHB push-pull train. This train has locomotives at both ends for better acceleration, and it has improved facilities for railway passengers, such as, better designed seats, better luggage racks, mobile charging points with suitable mobile holders, LED lights, CCTV surveillance, public information system, etc.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (also known as Vande Metro) is a short-distance inter-city railway service that runs between major cities that are approximately within 100–250 kilometres with each other.
As per an earlier report by the Ministry of Railways, the demand for specialised train services during peak periods had increased significantly by 54% compared to the previous year, reaching to 57,169 services.
The Indian Railways network has the highest number of railway stations in the world. It has 7,325 railway stations. More rail tracks have been laid in India in the last 10 years than the total rail network of countries like South Africa, Ukraine, Poland, UK and Sweden.
Also, when Indian Railways completes 100% electrification, it will become the largest green rail network in the world. Previously, as per a report back in November 2024, Indian Railways completed electrification of 97% of its Broad Gauge railway network. Electric traction is not only more environment friendly but is also about 70% more economical than diesel traction.
In addition to all this, Indian Railways' project of redeveloping several existing railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, is already ongoing. It includes aspects such as improving the approach roads to the stations as well as the railway stations itself, with many facilities to passengers such as lifts, escalators, free WiFi, kiosks, executive lounge, etc.
- “Amazing” Union Budget, says Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw; Thanks Prime Minister & Finance Minister for continued big allocation in a row to Railways with a focus on safety - Ministry of Railways on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 01 FEB 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 03 February 2025.
- Indian Railways swiftly progressing on its transformational journey
- New India Samachar - NIS English - Volume 5, Issue 15. 01-15 February, 2025. Retrieved on 03 February 2025.
- Over 23,000 Track Kilometers Upgraded for 130 kmph Speed - Ministry of Railways, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 27 JAN 2025 6:37PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 27 January 2025.
- Indian Railways Electrifies 97% of its Broad Gauge Network - Ministry of Railways on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 27 NOV 2024 7:27PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 03 February 2025.