The indigenously built semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains have been given a new look with a combination of orange, grey and white colour in the front, instead of the existing blue and white colour.
After receiving passengers’ and crew feed back, many changes were incorporated into the executive class of the Vande Bharat trains.
These include, change of colour pattern, better cushion for seats, easy accessibility to mobile-charging points than before and extended foot rest, among other improved features.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Integral Coach Factroy (ICF) on Saturday (8 July) and inspected the Vande Bharat coaches under production at ICF, including the one with new livery.
During the interaction with media persons, he stated that he was happy to see the improvements being carried out at the Vande Bharat Express and he mentioned that he inspected about 25 safety and technical improvement features that has been implemented in the next Vande Bharat Express, under production.
Increase in seat declining angle, wash basin with increased depth to avoid splashing of water, better lighting in toilets, provision of fixing points for wheel chairs used by Divyangjan passengers in the driving trailer coaches are some of the 25 changes being carried out at ICF.
Change of reading lamp touch — from resistive to capacitive touch — for easy use, better roller blind fabric and anti-climbing device in the Vande Bharat Express are being done for improved safety.
Vaishnaw further stated that the Indian Railways is working on the feedback received from the passengers as well as the other stakeholders.
These inputs are being used to better the coaches for safe and comfortable travel of the passengers.
The process of production of Vande Bharat sleeper-version as well as the Vande Metro coaches are going in very good phase, he added.
In order to cater to the comfortable and safe travel of the lower sections of passengers, the Railways are also taking up manufacturing of coaches with advanced features that will cater to the unreserved and general class of passengers.
This aims to ensure that good quality trains are available for all passengers.
The Minister also held discussions with ICF general manager BG Mallya, and other officials apart from meeting the staff representatives.
With launching of 25 Vande Bharat trains, the Railways has made 50 services operational as on 7 July.
While the 26th and 27th rakes are ready, the 28th Vande Bharat train is expected to be rolled out with the new colour pattern.