Railway Ministry orders ICF to build Two High-Speed, Broad-Gauge Trains for 2027–28

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major step towards advancing India’s indigenous train manufacturing capabilities, the Railway Board has tasked the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, with developing two next-generation trainsets capable of achieving a design speed of 220 kmph. The directive, issued on March 23, signals a significant evolution beyond the current Vande Bharat platform.

Each of the two trainsets will comprise 16 coaches and will be manufactured for broad-gauge operations with steel-bodied construction. While the design speed is pegged at 220 kmph, the maximum operational speed is expected to be 200 kmph. These trains are planned for deployment on existing railway infrastructure, distinguishing them from dedicated high-speed rail corridors like the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Beyond Vande Bharat: A New Generation of Indigenous Trains

The development builds on the success of Train 18, later branded as Vande Bharat Express, which was first rolled out in December 2018. Designed for speeds up to 160 kmph, Vande Bharat trains currently operate at a maximum of 130 kmph due to track and signalling constraints.

The new 220 kmph trainsets represent a technological leap, reflecting Indian Railways’ growing confidence in in-house design and manufacturing. Unlike earlier rolling stock projects that relied heavily on technology transfer, the Train 18 initiative marked a shift toward indigenous innovation—a trend that continues with this new order.

An official associated with the project noted that this initiative could significantly transform coach manufacturing standards in India, pushing the boundaries of speed, safety and performance on conventional tracks.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The move to develop 220 kmph-capable trainsets on broad-gauge tracks demonstrates India’s commitment to scaling up indigenous innovation in rail technology. This approach not only optimises existing infrastructure but also accelerates the transition towards faster and more efficient rail travel.”

Expanding Portfolio of Next-Gen Trainsets

ICF has been at the forefront of India’s modern train manufacturing push. Following the success of Vande Bharat Version 1, the factory introduced Version 2 in 2021, alongside other innovations such as Vande Metro and EMU-based freight solutions.

In parallel, ICF has also partnered with BEML for the production of Vande Sleeper trains, aimed at long-distance travel. The factory is currently manufacturing 50 Vande Sleeper rakes, each consisting of 24 coaches, further expanding its portfolio of next-generation rolling stock.

Driving Faster Rail Mobility on Existing Networks

A key aspect of the new trainsets is their ability to operate on existing railway tracks, which could enable faster rollout compared to entirely new high-speed corridors. This strategy allows Indian Railways to enhance speed and capacity incrementally while continuing investments in dedicated high-speed infrastructure.

The two new trainsets are scheduled for production under the 2027–28 coach manufacturing programme. As Indian Railways continues to modernise its fleet, these high-speed trainsets are expected to play a crucial role in redefining intercity travel, reducing journey times and enhancing passenger experience.

With indigenous design and engineering at its core, the initiative reinforces India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for advanced railway manufacturing and technology.