Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Vande Sadharan Train Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## VANDE SADHARAN TRAIN SERVICE

## 1675 SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  objectives  and  design  features  of  the  Vande  Sadharan train  service  including  seating  capacity,  fare  structure  and onboard amenities;
- (b) the criteria used by the Government to identify routes for the introduction of Vande Sadharan services;
- (c) whether  proposals  have  been  received  from  the  State Government regarding operating Vande Sadharan trains from Mangaluru and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  timeline  by  which  the  said  services  are  likely  to  be operationalised, after approval?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d)  Improvement/up-gradation of Rolling Stock to enhance safety  and  comfort  of  passengers  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing process on Indian Railways.

Indian  Railways  (IR)  has  introduced  fully  non-AC  Amrit  Bharat trains, presently comprising 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper

Class coaches, 1 Pantry car and 02 Second class cum Luggage cum Guard Van & Disabled Friendly Compartment. These trains have been designed and manufactured to cater to the needs of general public by providing world class modern and comfortable rail travel experience to passengers of Non-AC segment. IR has provisioned for production of 100 Amrit Bharat Trains.

High Speed, enhanced Safety standards and world class service are the hallmarks of this train with following enhanced features and amenities:

- i. Better aesthetics of seat and berths with enhanced look &
2. feel on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper.
- ii. Jerk Free Semi-Automatic Couplers.
4. iii.
5. iv.
6. v.
7. Improved Crashworthy features.
8. Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and Luggage room.
9. Improved designs of toilets.
- vi. Improved  design  of  Ladder  for  ease  of  climbing  on  to  the berth.
- vii. Improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets.
12. viii.
13. Provision of EP assisted braking system.
- ix. Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles.
15. x.
16. USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
- xi. Emergency Talk Back system for two-way  communication between Passenger and Guard/Train Manager.
18. xii.
19. Non-AC Pantry with enhanced heating capacity.
- xiii. Fully  sealed  gangways  with  quick  release  mechanism  for easy attachment and detachment.

Indian Railway fixes the fares with due consideration of the cost of service, value of service, what passengers can bear, competition from other competing modes, socio economic considerations etc. The fares of various trains/classes are based on  the  facilities  provided  in  these  trains.  Indian  Railways  (IR) runs various types of train services for different types of passenger segments.

However,  Indian  Railways  continues  to  run  a  large  number  of trains with affordable fare structures, including Mail/Express and passenger trains, for the benefit of the general public including the  poor  and  lower  middle  class.  IR  has  also  introduced  Amrit Bharat services and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services, providing high quality services to larger section of the population, particularly lower income groups.

Representations/requests, both formal and informal, are received from State Governments,  Ministries of Central  Government, Elected  Representatives,  Consultative  Committees  etc.  by  the Railways at various levels including Railway Board, Zonal Railways, Divisional office etc. As receipt of such representations/requests  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic  process, centralized compendium of such representations/requests is not maintained.  However,  the  representation/request  etc.  are  dealt as  per  laid  down  procedure/guidelines  and  action  as  found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.

Further, presently, Mangaluru Central is being served by 56 train services including 4 Vande Bharat train services while Mangaluru Junction is served by 80 train services.

Besides,  introduction  of  train  services  including  Amrit  Bharat train  services  and  its  variants  is  an  on-going  process  on  Indian Railways,  subject  to  traffic  justification,  operational  feasibility, availability of resources, etc.

****