Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai to Build High-Speed Trains.
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the production unit of the Ministry of Railways, has been assigned the task of constructing two trains with a top speed of 250 kmph.
Request from Railway Board: In a letter dated June 4th, the Railway Board requested the ICF to include the two high-speed trains in its 2024-2025 manufacturing schedule. The trains will have a maximum speed of 250 kmph and a running speed of 220 kmph. The body of the trains will be made of steel and standard gauges will be used for construction.
Usage of Vande Bharat platform: According to authorities, these trains will be built using the Vande Bharat platform. This decision is part of the transportation company’s strategy to enhance the speed of upcoming Vande Bharat trains.
Eight-Coach Trains: The two high-speed trains to be constructed by ICF will consist of eight coaches.
Building Standard Gauge Train Test Track in Rajasthan: The Indian Railways has been constructing a test track in Rajasthan for the past year, specifically to assess its capabilities in creating high-speed trains and converting Vande Bharat trains from broad gauge to standard gauge. Standard gauge is the most widely used gauge in the world. The absence of fast-moving trains in India and the ambitious goals set for the ICF has garnered attention from experts. Sudhansu Mani, the former general manager of ICF and leader of the initial Vande Bharat trains’ development, expressed that designing a standard gauge train with a speed of 250 kmph by March 2025, given that the top speed of Vande Bharat trains is 180 kmph, poses significant challenges. However, he emphasized that if provided with sufficient autonomy and under capable leadership, ICF could undertake this feat over a span of three to four years, marking a significant milestone for the organization. In response to criticism regarding the issuance of letters with unrealistic targets, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the caretaker Minister for Railways, stated in an interview with Business Standard that the government’s focus has been on indigenizing high-speed rail technology. Referring to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridors, where high-speed trains utilizing Japanese technology from Shinkansen, or bullet trains, are being constructed, Vaishnaw highlighted that the government is drawing on these experiences to develop similar trains in India. The minister’s remarks indicate a commitment from the government to embrace and cultivate cutting-edge technology within the domestic rail manufacturing industry. As the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai sets out on the task of building high-speed trains that can reach speeds of up to 250 kmph, the eyes of the nation eagerly turn toward the future of train travel in India. Only time will tell if these trains will revolutionize the transportation sector and add new dimensions to India’s rail network.
