The Ministry of Railways has mandated its production unit, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, to manufacture two high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km per hour (kmph). This directive, outlined in a letter dated June 4 from the Railway Board, forms part of the 2024-25 production programme.
The newly proposed trains will feature steel bodies and be constructed on standard gauge, boasting a maximum speed of 250 kmph and a running speed of 220 kmph. Officials have confirmed that these trains will be based on the Vande Bharat platform, aligning with the Indian Railways’ strategic plan to enhance the speed of future Vande Bharat services. The proposed trains will consist of eight coaches each. Over the past year, Indian Railways has been developing a test track in Rajasthan designed for standard gauge trains, primarily to assess the feasibility of high-speed rail technology and to facilitate the export of Vande Bharat trains. This track will play a crucial role in testing and refining these high-speed trains. Currently, India lacks trains that can operate at such high speeds. Experts, however, have voiced concerns about the feasibility of this project. “The top speed of the current Vande Bharat trains is 180 kmph. Developing a 250 kmph standard gauge train by March 2025 is a formidable challenge,” noted an industry source. The source emphasised that achieving this target would require significant motivation, autonomy, and committed leadership at ICF. Setting unrealistic goals, the source warned, could be counterproductive.
Caretaker Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the initiative, highlighted the government’s ambition to indigenise high-speed rail technology. Currently, high-speed trains in India, such as those on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, are being developed using Japanese Shinkansen technology. The government aims to adapt and develop similar capabilities domestically.
Industry expert Mani pointed out potential challenges with the project specifications, particularly the choice of materials. “Developing these trains in stainless steel is a retrograde step,” he argued. “If this decision was made because developing aluminium extrusion facilities for just two trains is impractical, the order quantity should be increased to facilitate the development of trains with the right specifications.” The ICF’s task to produce these high-speed trains marks a significant milestone in India’s railway history. Success in this venture would not only enhance the speed capabilities of the Indian rail network but also pave the way for the country to become a significant player in the global high-speed rail market. However, the journey from conception to realisation will be fraught with technical and logistical challenges, demanding meticulous planning and execution.
