Indian Railways is heavily working toward the development of passenger experience in the whole nation. These include the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and continued production of advanced LHB coaches. Two here are class travel experience and easy accessibility to disabled people, and a change in traveling long distances in the country. Let’s take a deep dive into the latest updates and how they pave the way for Indian Railways’ future.
Vande Bharat sleeper trains: A new revolution in traveling for long distances
Indian Railways has manufactured 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains that will be operational in the country for long and medium distances. The Railways have designed the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains for comfort while traveling. An initial prototype of the Sleeper train has already been designed and produced, and rigorous field tests are to start. After successful field trails, full-scale production for these trains will be deployed.
Indian Railways has also provided manufacture rights of 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper Rakes to its technology partners. It is a big stride in the improvement of infra at the country level by rail. Such a highly successful induction of sleeper trains will meet the growing demand of a more modern mode of travel on long distances to cater for comfort and safe travel to passengers.
Till December 2024, as many as 136 Vande Bharat train services have already begun plying on the broad gauge electrified network that promises to ferry short and medium-distance passengers faster and more efficiently. The trains have been in much demand and received huge accolades for state-of-the-art features that include modern interiors, better passenger amenities, and increased safety.
LHB Coaches: A Leap Forward in Rail Safety and Comfort
Indian Railways has also started paying more attention to the manufacturing of LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches since April 2018. They are more technically sound and much more comfortable compared to the earlier ones.
Remarkable increase in production at LHB coaches over the past years Where production increased from 2,337 LHB coaches from the period 2004-2014 to as many as 36,933 during the period of 2014-2024. It is over 16 times the production by the earlier period. Indian Railways’ commitment towards the cause of modernization and safety might be the very large increases in production in large numbers.
LHB coaches are given anti-climbing features, air suspension with failure indication systems and less corrosive shells. This will upgrade the general durability and the safety feature of the trains. The passengers will be looking forward to a smoother and safer ride when they travel by trains across the country.
Improved Accessibility of Divyangjans and Passengers with Reduced Mobility
Indian Railways is also in the process to make ease of journey easily accessible to the Divyangjans and to the mobility-reduced passengers. Indian Railways is implementing the “Sugamya Bharat Mission”, or Accessible India Campaign, and through various initiatives to make train journeys accessible, several steps have been implemented.
Indian Railways has offered tremendous access facilities in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Ramps, accessible parking, Braille and tactile signages, low-height counters, and lifts/escalators are some of them. As of November 2024, 1,512 escalators have been provided at 399 stations, while 1,607 lifts have been installed at 609 stations-an impressive jump compared to previous years.
Almost every Mail/Express train has specialized coaches with easy gates and accessible toilets. Above this, Vande Bharat trains offer automatically controlled doorways, set provision of space, and braille signage for convenient transportation and access to more or different passengers.
Best In Class Travel Quality
Initiatives from Indian Railways show how committed they are to gifting world-class travel experience to all passengers. With the production of Vande Bharat Sleeper train and addition to LHB coach manufacturing, the intent is self-evident: transform the Indian rail system in terms of efficiency, safety, and accessibility.
India now leads 136 Vande Bharat trains in operation. Such endeavours of New Indian Railways are marking benchmarked comfort and safety through railways for travelers. This move would put the India Rail network into the world most advance list.
Conclusion
Indian Railways is going to provide a stage for better, accessible, and comfortable travel with Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and continued LHB coach production. That surely is an indication of the commitment of the government toward modernization and all passenger accessibility. With such a shining history of improving infrastructure and passenger amenities, Indian Rail travel is going to brighten in ways never known before.
By concentrating on safety, accessibility, and modernity, Indian Railways will create a transformative experience in traveling for millions of passengers who will be benefitted in the years ahead. There is more to wait as Vande Bharat trains roll out across India.
Refer :
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Read also : Introducing Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: Redefining Long-Distance Travel in India