A video of a black-coloured Vande Bharat train recently went viral on social media, drawing attention after being shared by BJP MLA Satya Kumar Yadav, the Minister for Health, Family Welfare & Medical Education of Andhra Pradesh, on his X platform.
The clip sparked excitement and speculation about a new design for India’s flagship semi-high-speed train.
However, on a closer examination, doubts about the authenticity of the video come forth, showing clear signs of digital manipulation. The train depicted in the video shows a European-style sleeper coach design, distorted writings on its surface, and AI-generated interiors. Notably, a Mini Cooper logo appears alongside the Vande Bharat name on the front of the train-an unusual and inauthentic detail that points to the video being computer-generated rather than a genuine glimpse of a new train.
Currently, Indian Railways operates the Vande Bharat Express with a well-defined design featuring sleek, aerodynamic coaches in a bright and modern colour scheme. These trains run with multiple air-conditioned chair car coaches designed for shorter daytime journeys. The official sleeper version of Vande Bharat, soon to be in service, focuses on comfort and technology while maintaining a distinctly Indian aesthetic tailored to the country’s rail infrastructure and passenger needs.
While the black Vande Bharat video captures public imagination, it ultimately appears to be a digitally created concept rather than an official addition to India’s expanding semi-high-speed rail network.</