Lok Sabha Question No. 263 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Introduction of Vande Bharat/Bharat Gaurav/Tejas Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## INTRODUCTION OF VANDE BHARAT/BHARAT GAURAV/TEJAS TRAINS

†*263. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   introduced   Vande   Bharat,   Bharat   Gaurav and Tejas trains across the country;

(b)    if so,    the details    thereof    including    the    salient    features,    aims    and objectives thereof;

(c)    the    details    of    such    trains    particularly    trains    connecting    Maharashtra including Parbhani Parliamentary Constituency, State-wise;

(d) the details of the routes/areas selected for the said purpose, State-wise;

(e)   the   details   of   the   number   of   such   trains   presently   being   operated   by   the Government across the country;

(f)   whether   the   Government   proposes   to   expand   the   network   of   such   trains and if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether    the Government    proposes to introduce new    trains and increase    the    number    of    theme    based    tourist    circuit    trains    and    if    so,    the details thereof; and

(h)    the    additional    steps    being    taken    by    the    Government    to    increase    the number and frequency of trains in Indian Railways in various phases?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED   TO   IN   REPLY   TO   PARTS   (  a)   TO   (  h)   OF   LOK   SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025 (a) to    (h) As    a    part    of    the    greater    objective    to    provide    better    travel experience    and    improved    Safety, Indian    Railways(IR)    have    introduced Vande   Bharat   trains   and   Tejas   trains   which   have   enhanced   safety   features and modern passenger amenities. The    Vande    Bharat trains    have    features    like-    KAVACH    system,    Faster acceleration,    Fully    Sealed    Gangway,    Automatic    Plug    Doors,    Better    Ride Comfort,    Mini    Pantry    with    provision    of    Hot    Case,    Bottle    Cooler,    Deep freezer &    Hot water    Boiler, Reclining    Ergonomic    Seats,    Comfortable Seating    with    revolving    seats    in    executive    class,    Mobile   charging   sockets for   every   seat,   special   lavatory   for   Divyangjan   passengers   in   Driving   Trailer Car(DTC), CCTVs etc. The    Tejas    train    have    features    like    Automatic    entrance    plug    type    door, Passenger   information   system,   GPS   based   LED   destination   board,   Luggage racks    with reading    lights aligned    with seating,    Electrically operated Venetian    windows,    Automatic    cabin    entrance    doors,    New    aesthetically pleasing   interiors   with   PVC   film   pasted   on   panels,    Electronic   reservation chart, CCTV    Camera    for    security, Improved    lavatory, Bio    Vacuum system, Fire    and    smoke    detection    system, Fire   suppression   system   in Power   cars,    Vinyl   wrapped   specially   designed   exteriors,   Dust   proof/sealed inter car gangway,   Energy Efficient LED Lights. As   on   18 th March,   2025,   136    Vande   Bharat   train   services   and   08   Tejas   train services   (with   Chair   Cars)   are   operational   on   the   Indian   Railways   network. However,   as   the   Railway   network   straddles   across   State   boundaries,   and trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.    Presently,    on    originating/terminating    basis,    22    Vande    Bharat services   while   04   Tejas   services   are   catering   to   the   needs   of   the   stations located in the State of Maharashtra. With the objective to showcase    India's rich cultural heritage and magnificent    historical    places    through    theme    based    tourist    circuit    trains,

Indian   Railways   have   launched    'Bharat   Gaurav   trains'.   At   present,   12   rakes are    operational    under    the    Bharat    Gaurav    scheme.   Out   of   these,   10   rakes are    being    operated    by    Indian    Railway    Catering    &    Tourism    Corporation (IRCTC).    Bharat    Gaurav    trains    are    planned    and    operated    depending    upon demand of tourists/pilgrims and its commercial viability. So   far,   Bharat   Gaurav   Trains   have   been   operated   on   36   circuits   covering   24 States/   UTs.   Out   of   these,   IRCTC   has   operated   Bharat   Gaurav   Trains   on   26 circuits.    The    popular    circuits    include   Shri   Ramayana   Yatra/Shri   Ram   Lala Darshan,   Punya   Teerth   Yatra,   Dakshin   Bharat   Yatra,   Sai   Shirdi   Yatra,   Garvi Gujarat,    Jagannath    Puri    Yatra,    Jyotirlinga    Yatra,    Kashi    Darshan,    Uttar Bharat    Devbhumi    Yatra.    So,    majority    of    rakes and    circuits    are being operated by IRCTC. Further,    87 Bharat    Gaurav    trips have    been operated    on    the    circuits covering   locations   in   the   state   of   Maharashtra.   Out   of   these,   71   trips   have been   operated   by   IRCTC.   These   circuits   include   Shri   Ramayana   Yatra,   07Jyotirlinga    with    Dwarka    and    Shirdi    Yatra,    Baba    Saheb    Ambedkar    Yatra, Guru    Kripa    Yatra,    Char    Dham    Yatra,    South    Western    Sojourn,    College    on Wheels. The    Bharat    Gaurav    trains    have    features    like    external    &    internal    Vinyl wrapping    on    special    themes    showcasing    the    Indian    heritage,    Modular kitchen with modern gadgets (electric based cooking equipments), Installation   of   CCTV   cameras   in   common   areas   of   all   coaches,   Modification of    toilets,    provision    of    fire    alarms    and    air    fresheners,    PA    system   in    each coach   for    information   and   entertainment,   Onboard   housekeeping   staff   for regular cleaning and sanitization of coaches. Besides,   introduction   of   new   train   services,   extension   and   increase   in   the frequency   of    existing    services   are   ongoing   processes   on   Indian   Railways subject   to   traffic   justification,   operational   feasibility,   resource   availability, etc.

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