Indian Railways Announces Programme to Upgrade 40,000 Standard Rail Coaches to Vande Bharat Standards

The Indian Railways is set to undergo a massive transformation with the announcement of a groundbreaking initiative to upgrade 40,000 standard rail coaches to Vande Bharat standards. This ambitious programme, unveiled by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the interim budget presentation for fiscal year 2024-25, aims to enhance the safety, convenience, and comfort of rail travel while also providing a significant boost to private sector railway manufacturers through new refurbishment contracts.

Experts estimate that the projected contracts for this upgrade project will be worth ₹4,000 crore annually for the next few years, presenting a lucrative opportunity for railway sector players. Subodh Jain, a former Railway Board member, highlighted the economic implications of this initiative, stating that the comprehensive refurbishment of 40,000 coaches will be phased over 8-10 years, with an approximate rate of 4,000 bogies per year.

Sitharaman emphasized that this large-scale conversion project will revolutionize the commuter experience and transform the way people travel by rail. In addition to the coach upgrade programme, the finance minister also announced the implementation of three major economic corridors to alleviate congestion on the railway network, as part of the PM Gati Shakti initiative aimed at promoting multi-modal connectivity.

These economic corridors, focusing on energy, mineral, and cement corridors, port connectivity corridors, and high-traffic density corridors, are expected to decongest high-traffic routes, improve passenger train operations, and lead to safer and faster journeys. The initiatives, including dedicated freight corridors, are anticipated to spur GDP growth and reduce logistics costs, according to Sitharaman.

Vivek Lohia, managing director of Jupiter Wagons Ltd, praised the government’s decision to upgrade 40,000 regular rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards, noting that it demonstrates a commitment to elevating the quality and reliability of railway services for millions of passengers across India. This move is poised to bring about a significant transformation in the Indian Railways and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.