Indian Railways (IR) is set to introduce six additional Vande Bharat Express train services, comprising three new pairs, across its expanding network. These semi-high-speed trains aim to enhance passenger experience and boost intercity connectivity.
A senior railway official confirmed to IndianExpress.com that the new services are likely to be inaugurated on August 10, 2025. Currently, 144 Vande Bharat Express services are operational across India.
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New Vande Bharat Express Trains
The new train pairs will operate on the following routes:
Bengaluru-Belagavi
Belagavi-Bengaluru
Ajni-Pune
Pune-Ajni
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar
Amritsar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
Passenger Occupancy
Vande Bharat Express trains have seen strong demand since their introduction. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the overall occupancy has consistently exceeded 100 percent:
FY 2024-25: 102.01 percent
FY 2025–26 (till June 2025): 105.03 percent
These figures reflect growing public preference for Vande Bharat services on multiple routes.
Key Features Of Vande Bharat Express Trains
Safety And Control
Equipped with KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System)
Emergency alarm push buttons and talk-back units in all coaches
Improved fire safety systems using aerosol-based detection and suppression
Voice-recorded Driver-Guard communication with crash-hardened memory
Speed And Comfort
Operating speed up to 160 kmph; design speed of 180 kmph
Jerk-free semi-permanent couplers
Better ride comfort with centrally controlled automatic plug doors
Fully sealed and wider gangways
Passenger Amenities
UV-C based air disinfection system in AC units
Onboard CCTV surveillance
Special lavatories for Divyangjan in driving coaches
Coach Condition Monitoring System (CCMS) with remote diagnostics
Train Configuration
Vande Bharat Express trains currently operate in three configurations:
8-coach
16-coach
20-coach
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Two seating classes are available:
Chair Car (CC)
Executive Chair Car (EC)