The Nagpur Division of Central Railway (CR) proposed introducing sleeper Vande Bharat trains on the congested Nagpur-Pune route last month to handle the growing number of passengers.
A non-sleeper Vande Bharat train proposal was also received for the Secunderabad line.
Several fast trains like Garib Rath, Ajni-Pune Super-Fast Express and Nagpur-Pune Express run on the Nagpur-Pune route on alternate days for the ease of passengers. Despite that, the waiting list is often extensive, causing inconvenience to travellers and prompting many to opt for private buses for travelling.
Talking about Vande Bharat, the train currently operates on the Nagpur-Bilaspur and Nagpur-Indore routes, but only with chair car coaches and no sleeper berths. The introduction of sleeper Vande Bharat trains will be a significant step forward in the Indian Railways’ efforts to modernise and upgrade its fleet.
According to The Times Of India, Aman Mittal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (SrDCM), said, “To give passengers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience, we have proposed the introduction of a sleeper Vande Bharat train for Pune and another non-sleeper Vande Bharat for Secunderabad. These trains aim to offer a superior travel experience with modern amenities and enhanced comfort.”
“The Nagpur division’s proposal is a step towards meeting the growing demand for fast and comfortable travel options on this busy route. The introduction of sleeper Vande Bharat trains will significantly improve passengers’ travel experiences. Faster and more comfortable journeys not only save time but also provide a more pleasant and hassle-free travel experience,” he added.
As per experts, it will take almost a year to get sleeper Vande Bharat trains operational. The prototype is ready and only after successful trials serial production of these trains will begin. The trains are first scheduled for operation between capital cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. “The Indian Railways must ensure that the necessary infrastructure and facilities are in place to support the operation of these trains. This may include upgrading the tracks, signalling systems and maintenance facilities to handle the new train sets,” the publication quoted the experts as saying.
Meanwhile, analyst Alok Patel told TOI, “The introduction of sleeper Vande Bharat trains on the Nagpur-Pune route is expected to transform the travel experience for passengers between the two cities. The speedier, more comfortable, and convenient travel experience will encourage more people to choose train travel, reducing the load on other forms of transportation.”
The Indian Railways are expected to launch the Vande Bharat sleeper trains this year. These trains are expected to include comfortable berths, modern toilets, automatic doors, wheelchair-accessible sleepers and more facilities for passengers. These trains are likely to be faster than traditional trains, reducing travel time between Nagpur and Pune.
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