New Delhi: Indian Railways is going to take another big step towards making long distance travel more comfortable. Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) will soon start manufacturing 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets. According to the information, the factory has to prepare a total of 50 such trainsets. Let us tell you, this information was given by ICF General Manager Manish Aggarwal during the program organized at M. Arun Sports Complex in Chennai on the occasion of Independence Day.
He informed that the necessary production drawings for the construction of the new train have been prepared. These include the body of the coach, the arrangement for connecting the coaches and the design of the equipment installed in the underframe. Now the process of starting production is being taken forward.
16 coaches in existing sleeper Vande Bharat
At present, one Vande Bharat sleeper train is in service in the country, which runs between Howrah and Kamakhya. There are 16 coaches in this train. These include 11 third AC, four second AC and one first AC coach. In comparison, passengers are expected to get more seating and sleeper berth facilities in the proposed 24-coach train. Keeping in mind the long distance travelers, it is being developed as an option for fast and comfortable travel.
New version of Amrit Bharat train will come
Along with this, the General Manager of ICF has also shared information regarding the next version of Amrit Bharat Train. He told that there is a plan to include AC, general and sleeper class coaches in Amrit Bharat 3.0. The existing Amrit Bharat trains mainly have general and sleeper coaches. Apart from this, ICF is also working on new technology to transport goods along with passenger trains. The factory has developed freight electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets based on Vande Bharat technology. These can be used especially for transportation of goods like white goods. Also, let us tell you that ICF has also developed an EMU rake of 15 coaches for Mumbai local services and non-AC EMU coaches with automatic sliding doors to increase the safety of passengers.