Lok Sabha Question No. 236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Launching the Vande Bharat Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale, Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Smt. Supriya Sule

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 236 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## LAUNCHING THE VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS

## 236  SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the rationale behind launching the Vande Bharat Express, and the extent to which it align the Government's goals for modernizing Indian Railways;
- (b) the number of said trains presently playing in different routes along with the average income generated, State-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  launch  new  said  trains  across  the country  especially  in  under-served  or  remote  regions,  if  so,  the  details thereof, State-wise including Maharashtra and from New Delhi to Kathgodam;
- (d) whether the Government has decided to reduce the speed of said trains and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (e)  whether  the  said  trains  are  not  getting  enough  passengers  due  to  high fares and if so, the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (f)  whether the Government conducted any survey or gathered feedback on passenger satisfaction with the said trains, if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the other steps taken by the Government to provide world class facilities in the said Express trains for the train passengers?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- to (g) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  236  BY  SHRI  AMAR  SHARADRAO  KALE,    SHRI  NILESH DNYANDEV  LANKE,  SHRI  MOHITE  PATIL  DHAIRYASHEEL  RAJSINH,  SHRI BHASKAR  MURLIDHAR  BHAGARE,    DR.  AMOL  RAMSING  KOLHE,  SHRI BAJRANG  MANOHAR  SONWANE,    SMT.  SUPRIYA  SULE,  PROF.  VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD AND SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA  ON 27.11.2024  REGARDING  LAUNCHING  THE  VANDE  BHARAT EXPRESS (a) to (g) Improvement in coaches to enhance the passenger experience is a continuous ongoing process over Indian Railways and as a part of the greater objective  to  provide  better  travel  experience  and  improved  Safety,  Indian Railways(IR)  have  introduced  Vande  Bharat  trains  which  have  enhanced safety features and modern passenger amenities 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. As  on  21 st   November,  2024,  136    Vande  Bharat  train  services    are operational on the Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network of Indian Railways. Railway network straddles across State boundaries, and trains are introduced,  as  per  network  requirement,  across  such  boundaries.  Presently, 22  Vande  Bharat  services,  on  originating/terminating  basis,    are  catering  to the  needs  of  the  stations  located  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra.  At  present, Delhi-Kathgodam  sector  is  served  by  03  pairs  of  Mail/Express  services including  the  services  of  12039/40  Kathgodam-New  Delhi  Shatabdi  Express. Besides, introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat services and its variants, is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

The  Vande  Bharat  services  are  being  operated  at  the  Maximum Permissible  speed  of  section  enroute,  so  as  to  ensure  optimal  utilisation  of speed potential.  There  is  no  proposal  to  reduce  the  speed  of  Vande  Bharat services.

On Indian Railways, the demand pattern of reserved accommodation is not  uniform  throughout  the  year  and  it  varies  over  lean  and  peak  periods. Moreover,  trains  running  on  popular  and  convenient  timings  with  lesser stoppage and running time are generally well patronized. During 2024-25 (upto October,  24)  the  overall  occupancy  of  Vande  Bharat  express  trains  is  more  than 100%.  On  IR,  State-wise  and  Train-wise  average  income  generated  is  not maintained. Railway  passengers  share  their  feedback  on  the  services  offered  by Railway  through  Rail  Anubhav  of  RailMadad  Portal.  During  the  period  from 03.07.2024  to  20.11.2024,  a  total  of  51,  346  feedback  responses  on  Vande Bharat Trains have been received through  Rail Anubhav.

- *****