India’s First Privately-Manufactured Vande Bharat Trains to Join Indian Railways in 2025
Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. (TRSL), headquartered in Kolkata, is gearing up to launch a prototype of the sleeper version of the indigenously designed semi high-speed Vande Bharat trains by June 2025. This marks a significant milestone in India’s rail transportation sector, as TRSL becomes the first private company to manufacture Vande Bharat trains. The company has entered into a partnership with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for supplying the electrical components of the trains.
The initial phase of the project involves the production of 16 sleeper Vande Bharat trains within the next 12 months, with deliveries commencing from the first month onwards. TRSL aims to deliver a total of 80 trains to the Indian Railways within four years from the approval of the prototype. The company’s Uttarpara plant in West Bengal will be the primary manufacturing hub for these trains.
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains are designed to provide enhanced comfort and convenience to passengers. The trains will feature modern amenities such as air-conditioning, reclining seats, and ample legroom. The sleeper coaches will offer a comfortable sleeping experience, enabling passengers to travel long distances with ease and efficiency.
TRSL’s expansion plans involve investing ₹1,000 crore to augment its operations, particularly in the passenger rail systems domain. The company aims to double its passenger coach manufacturing capability from the current 36 coaches per month to over 72 coaches per month by 2028. This expansion is in line with the growing demand for high-speed rail transportation in India.
The Indian government has set an ambitious target of having 4,500 Vande Bharat trains by 2047. The introduction of privately-manufactured Vande Bharat trains is a testament to the government’s efforts to modernize and upgrade the country’s rail infrastructure. It is also a major step towards achieving self-sufficiency in the production of high-speed rail technology.
TRSL’s entry into the Vande Bharat train manufacturing space is not only a significant development for the company but also a catalyst for the growth of the domestic rail industry. It underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the manufacturing and export of rolling stock.
The demand for Vande Bharat trains is expected to surge in the coming years, driven by the government’s focus on expanding high-speed rail connectivity across the country. TRSL is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing demand and emerge as a major player in the Vande Bharat train manufacturing segment.
