Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses questions regarding the Vande Sadharan train service, focusing on its objectives, design, route criteria, and operational timelines. The response details the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains as an ongoing effort to enhance passenger safety and comfort, particularly for the non-AC segment. Route identification and service implementation depend on factors such as traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
Key Points / Main Content:
Amrit Bharat Train Features and Objectives:
* Aims to provide world-class, comfortable rail travel for the non-AC passenger segment.
* Currently comprises 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 1 Pantry car, and 2 Second class cum Luggage cum Guard Van Disabled Friendly Compartments.
* Planned production of 100 Amrit Bharat trains.
* Enhanced features include improved aesthetics, semi-automatic couplers, crashworthy features, CCTV, improved toilet designs, improved ladder design, LED lighting, USB charging, EP assisted braking, aerosol fire suppression, emergency talk-back system, enhanced pantry, and sealed gangways.
Fare Structure:
* Fares are determined based on cost of service, value of service, passenger affordability, competition, and socio-economic considerations.
* Indian Railways continues to offer affordable train options like Mail/Express and passenger trains, alongside Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat services.
Route Identification and Implementation:
* Route selection considers traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
* Indian Railways receives continuous requests from various entities, which are handled as per established guidelines.
* Mangaluru Central is served by 56 train services, including 4 Vande Bharat trains; Mangaluru Junction is served by 80 train services.
* Introduction of train services, including Amrit Bharat, is an ongoing process.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers (General Public, Lower Income Groups):
* Impact: Benefit from improved comfort, safety, and modern amenities in non-AC travel. Access to affordable travel options remains available.
* Action Required: No specific action required; continue to utilize available train services.
State Governments, Ministries, Elected Representatives:
* Impact: Their requests for new train services are considered based on established guidelines and feasibility.
* Action Required: Continue to submit requests and representations through established channels.
Indian Railways (IR):
* Impact: Responsible for the ongoing process of upgrading rolling stock, introducing new services, and managing route implementation.
* Action Required: Continue assessing and implementing new train services based on traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Sadharan train service: A new train service planned by the Ministry of Railways, designed with specific objectives, design features, and fare structure.
SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the Vande Sadharan train service in the Lok Sabha.
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS: The government official responsible for answering the question about the Vande Sadharan train service.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who answered the Lok Sabha question.
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for introducing and operating various train services.
Amrit Bharat trains: Fully non-AC trains introduced by Indian Railways with General Class and Sleeper Class coaches, designed for the general public.
Railway Board: The apex body of the Indian Railways, involved in receiving and addressing requests for new train services.
Mangaluru, Karnataka: A city in the state of Karnataka from which proposals have been received regarding operating Vande Sadharan trains.
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 SleeperClass 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 &
feel on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper.
ii. Jerk Free Semi-Automatic Couplers.
iii. Improved Crashworthy features.
iv. Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and Luggage room.
v. Improved designs of toilets.
vi. Improved design of Ladder for ease of climbing on to the
berth.
vii. Improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets.
viii. Provision of EP assisted braking system.
ix. Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and
electrical cubicles.
x. USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
xi. Emergency Talk Back system for two-way communication
between Passenger and Guard/Train Manager.
xii. 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.
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