Lok Sabha Question No. 1250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Second Generation Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## SECOND GENERATION VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

1250. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- whether the Government has successfully completed trails of the Second  Generation  Vande  Bharat  trains  that  will  come  with enhanced  passenger  comfort  and  safety  features,  if  so,  the
- (a) details thereof;
- (b) the  time  by  which  regular  production  of  these  trains  has  been proposed along with the progress made in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  has  set  a  target  of  rolling  out  75  such trains  by  August  2023  which  can  touch  a  speed  of  180  kmph during trails;
- (d) if  so,  whether  this  is  a  big  push  for  the  Make-in-India  initiative and  has  firmed  up  a  road  map  to  start  domestic  production  of wheels  needed  for  high  speed  trains  and  high-strength  rail tracks;
- (e)
- if so, the details and present status thereof; and
- (f) whether a Vande Bharat train was severely damaged which hit by a herd of buffaloes between Gairatpur and Vatva stations nearly a week after its flag off, if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1250  BY  SHRI  Y.S.  AVINASH  REDDY, SHRI  KOMATI  REDDY  VENKAT  REDDY,  SHRI  MANNE  SRINIVAS REDDY AND SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS)  VIJAY  VASANTH  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  14.12.2022  REGARDING  SECOND

GENERATION VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

(a):  Yes,  Sir.  The  new  and  improved  Vande  Bharat  Ver  2.0  trains with  enhanced  safety  features,  better  ride  index  and  passenger amenities  have  been  introduced  after  detailed  trials,  performance and  safety  testing  of  the  train  and  its  sub-systems.  The  following tests were conducted by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) / Lucknow:-

- i. Oscillation trials @ 115  kmph  on  mainline  tracks  and  at 180kmph on Rajdhani Tracks.
- ii. Emergency Braking Distance Trials at 160 kmph and performance testing of Brake Systems.
- iii. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) / Electromagnetic Compatibility  (EMC),  Radio  Frequency  Interference  (RFI)  and Pacemaker Tests.
4. iv.
5. v.
6. Noise and vibration tests.
7. Tests on Propulsion and Train Control Systems.
8. vi.
9. Fire and smoke detection tests.
10. Clearance  by  Electrical  Inspector  General  to  Government  of
- vii. India.
- viii. Detailed safety inspection and running trial run at 180 kmph by Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) / Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- ix. Subsequent to mandatory safety and operation trial of the prototype train,  Ministry  of  Railways  has  issued  sanction  for  introduction  of Vande  Bharat  Train  set  with  new  design  propulsion  system  and bogies over Indian Railways.

(b) & (c): Integral Chief Factory (ICF) / Chennai has already turned out  three  (3)  rakes  of  new  and  improved  version  of  Vande  Bharat Ver.2 trains till November 2022, in addition to two (2) Vande Bharat Trains in service since 2019.  Regular production of Vande Bharat Ver.2 has started from ICF from September 2022.

Production of thirty five (35) rakes in coach production programme 2022-23 and sixty seven (67) rakes in coach production programme 2023-24  have  been  issued.  However,  actual  turnout  depends  on supply chain, which is developing rapidly.

(d)  &  (e):  In  an  effort  to  boost  domestic  production  of  wheels,  a tender has been floated for inviting bids from prospective vendors to establish facilities for manufacturing and supply of about 15,40,000 wheels of different rolling stock to the Railways over the period of 20 years. Tender has been floated under Make-In-India wherein only class-1 loco suppliers with local content more than 60% are eligible. The tender is due to be opened on 24.01.2023.

- (f): The first rake of new and improved version of Vande Bharat Ver 2.0  was  inaugurated  on  30.09.2022  from  Gandhinagar  Capital  to Mumbai Central in Western Railway and is running in regular service since 01.10.2022. An incidence of hit by cattle on 06.10.2022 was reported  between  Gairatpur  and  Vatva  division.  The  incidence caused  minor  damage  to  Fibre  Reinforced  Polymer (FRP)  coupler cover with brackets of Coach No. 226430 / DTC. The train journey was  completed  without  any  issue  further.  The  FRP  coupler  cover with  brackets  was  repaired  in  Mumbai  Central  (MMCT)  depot without affecting any disruption in train services onwards.

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