**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 478 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on December 3, 2025, regarding Vande Bharat trains in Tamil Nadu. The question asked about the number of Vande Bharat trains in Southern states, plans for new routes, criteria for route selection, and representations received from southern states. The response outlines the factors considered for introducing new Vande Bharat trains and provides the number of services in each state.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Information:**
* The introduction of trains, including Vande Bharat, is based on network requirements across state boundaries.
* Route/section introduction depends on various factors.
* **Factors for Introducing New Trains:**
* Capacity of the section.
* Availability of path.
* Availability of required rolling stock.
* Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.
* Maintenance requirements of railway tracks and other assets.
* **Vande Bharat Services in Southern States:**
* Tamil Nadu: 16 services
* Kerala: 6 services
* Karnataka: 22 services
* Andhra Pradesh: 12 services
* Telangana: 10 services
* **Proposals and Requests:**
* Proposals, requests, suggestions, and representations for introducing trains, including Vande Bharat, are received from various sources (Members of Parliament, representatives, etc.) at various levels.
* A centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained due to the continuous and dynamic nature of the process.
* These requests are examined, and action is taken as found feasible and justified.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Southern States Governments**
* **Impact:** These governments have an interest in increasing the number of Vande Bharat trains serving their states. The information shared in the response to part (d) of the question helps them understand how their requests will be handled.
* **Action Required:** They should continue to submit proposals and requests for additional Vande Bharat trains, understanding that feasibility and justification will be considered.
**Stakeholder: Members of Parliament/Elected Representatives/Organizations/Rail Users**
* **Impact:** These stakeholders contribute by submitting requests for the introduction of Vande Bharat trains and its variants.
* **Action Required:** Continue to submit formal and informal requests, suggestions, and representations for consideration at various levels.
**Stakeholder: Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Accountable for the planning and operations of the railway network across India.
* **Action Required:** To examine proposals/requests/suggestions/representations, both formal and informal, and act as found feasible and justified from time to time.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat Trains: A semi-high-speed, intercity EMU train operated by the Indian Railways, focused on improving connectivity and regional balance.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's railway system, including the introduction and operation of trains.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, a specific region of focus regarding the operation and introduction of Vande Bharat trains.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 478
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
VANDE BHARAT TRAINS IN TAMIL NADU
478. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Vande Bharat trains currently operational in the
southern States, including Tamil Nadu;
(b) whether the Government proposes to introduce new Vande Bharat routes
connecting major cities and towns in the southern region during the current
or next financial year and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the criteria adopted by the Government for selecting new
routes for Vande Bharat services and keeping in view the regional balance;
and
(d) whether the Government has received any representations/demands from
southern States regarding additional Vande Bharat trains and if so, the
details thereof including the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) As the railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains
are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.
Introduction of new trains including Vande Bharat train services on any
route/section depends on various factors which include:
• Capacity of that section,
• Availability of path,
• Availability of required rolling stock,
• Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock,
• Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
---2/--2-
Of the 164 Vande Bharat services operationalised by the Indian Railways,
the number of services, on originating/terminating basis, catering to the
stations located in various southern States are as under:
State No. of Vande Bharat services
Tamil Nadu 16 services
Kerala 6 services
Karnataka 22 services
Andhra Pradesh 12 services
Telangana 10 services
Proposals/ requests/ suggestions/ representations, both formal and
informal inter alia for introduction of trains including Vande Bharat trains
and its variants are received from Members of Parliament, elected
representatives, organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including
Railway Board, Zonal Railways, Divisional Office etc. As receipt of such
proposals/ requests/ suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process,
centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, these
are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to
time.
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