Indian Railways will manufacture two new 220 kmph trainsets after Vande Bharat, aiming to boost high-speed travel with modern features, higher speeds and improved passenger comfort.India Today

Railways to build next-gen 220 kmph trains after Vande Bharat. Check details

After Vande Bharat, Indian Railways plans two new 220 kmph trains with modern coaches, aiming to boost high-speed rail and upgrade passenger travel across the country.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Railways plans two new 220 kmph trainsets
  • New trains will be faster than Vande Bharat
  • Project awarded to BEML for design and manufacturing

After the success of Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways is now planning the next big leap in high-speed travel. The Railway Board has approved the manufacturing of two new trainsets with a design speed of 220 kmph, marking a major step in India’s semi-high-speed rail push.

These next-generation trains are expected to go beyond current speed limits and offer modern features for passengers.

With production already in motion, the move signals a clear focus on faster, more efficient and comfortable train journeys across the country.

TWO NEW 220 KMPH TRAINS APPROVED

Indian Railways will manufacture two new trainsets with a design speed of 220 kmph.

This decision was cleared under the Coach Production Programme for 2027–28, following a Railway Board approval sent to the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.

Each train will have 16 coaches, built as broad-gauge trainsets.

FASTER THAN VANDE BHARAT

Currently, Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train in India with a design speed of 180 kmph.

The new trains aim to push this limit further, with:

  • Design speed: 220 kmph
  • Maximum operating speed: 200 kmph

This places them closer to global semi-high-speed standards and marks a clear upgrade over existing services.

MAKE IN INDIA PUSH WITH NEW CONTRACT

The project is already underway.

In October 2024, the Integral Coach Factory awarded a contract to BEML to design and manufacture two high-speed trainsets.

Each trainset will initially be built with 8 cars, with costs estimated at:

  • Rs 27.86 crore per coach
  • Total contract value: Rs 866.87 crore

The project also includes development costs, tooling and testing facilities for future high-speed trains.

MODERN FEATURES AND DESIGN

The upcoming trains will come with:

  • Steel-body coaches
  • Fully air-conditioned Chair Car setup
  • Modern passenger features like reclining seats and onboard systems

These upgrades aim to improve comfort while supporting higher speeds.

PART OF BIGGER RAIL MODERNISATION

The new 220 kmph trains are part of a larger effort to modernise Indian Railways.

At present, India does not have operational trains running above 200 kmph, with most services capped around 160 kmph due to track limits.

With these new trainsets and upcoming high-speed test tracks, the railways are clearly moving towards faster travel options in the near future.

- Ends