Vande Metro

Vande Metro (unofficial name) is a proposed service that will operate on a short-distance, inter-city rail network to connect major cities within a distance of around 100-250 km. Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has rolled out the first prototype Basic Unit (4 coaches) of Vande Metro on April 2024.

Trainset
The trainset which is based on Vande Bharat will consist of 16 air-conditioned coaches and can reach speeds of up to 130 km/h with each coach accommodating 300 passengers, with 100 seats and space for 200 standing passengers. These coaches will include features like automatic plug doors, touch-free doors, wheelchair-accessible lavatories, a passenger talkback system, fire and smoke detectors, and the Kavach collision prevention system. These trains aim to improve passenger comfort, safety, and accessibility for very short distance intercity travel in India.

Engineering
The Vande Metro is an advanced, self-propelled train set, akin to the Vande Bharat Express, eliminating the need for a separate locomotive. Designed to replace Mainline EMU trains, its primary aim is to offer passengers faster and more comfortable travel options. With a top operational speed of 130 km/h, achieved through rapid acceleration technology, it will surpass the current running MEMUs.

Each coach will feature lightweight, cushioned seats accommodating 100 seated passengers and space for 200 standing. Fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern amenities, including sealed gangways for easy movement, the Vande Metro promises a premium travel experience. It will also boast aluminium luggage racks, LCD displays for passenger information, automatic doors, mobile charging sockets, diffused lighting, route displays, and panoramic windows with roller blinds.

Safety features include the KAVACH anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, Emergency talk-back units, fire detection systems, and modular bio-vacuum toilets. Initially, the trainsets will consist of 12 to 16 coaches depending on route demand, with planned operations on routes like Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Lucknow-Kanpur, Tirupati-Chennai, and Bhubaneswar-Balasore. Announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in February 2023, prototypes are currently under construction at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai, set for rigorous testing ahead.

Trial runs
With the trainsets getting into the final stages, according to higher officials, trial runs for the trainsets are scheduled for July 2024. These trials will focus on metropolitan cities, satellite cities, and large urban centers. The trains will run on the existing tracks of Indian Railways. With ICF officials' latest articles, these trainsets could mostly be put to operate between Chennai - Tirupati double line which comes under Southern Railways (SR).