Vande Bharat trains carried over 3cr passengers till Aug 20

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: With a fleet of 54 trains, Vande Bharat Express has completed a total of 35,428 trips and carried over 3.17 crore passengers till Aug 20 since the train was introduced on Feb 15, 2019.With a network covering more than 280 districts across 24 states and Union territories, these trains have covered a distance equivalent to taking 310.7 rounds of the Earth in 2023-24, showcasing their efficiency and extensive reach, railway authorities said.Chief public relations officer of the South Central Railway A Sridhar said that the Vande Bharat portfolio of the Indian Railways is ever-expanding with new train services being added for enhanced connectivity."Indigenously designed under the ‘Make in India' initiative, Vande Bharat trains offer cutting-edge features delivering luxury and efficiency to millions of passengers. With faster commute time, advanced safety features, and world-class amenities, Indian Railways is setting a new benchmarks in travel," he said.Railway authorities said these semi-high-speed trains symbolise India's ambition for a modern, efficient, and world-class rail system."With the Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways is set to redefine the passenger experience, offering unmatched speed, safety, and comfort. The train service has become a symbol of progress for Indian Railways," Sridhar said.Some of the cutting-edge features of Vande Bharat trains include intelligent braking systems, automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, and bio-vacuum toilets. The train service is equipped with regenerative braking systems that save up to 30% in electrical energy, adding a green footprint to its long list of innovations. The trains also have executive-class coaches with rotating ergonomic seats, among other features, a railwayofficial said."With the Vande Bharat Express train service, Indian Railways is on a path to revolutionise travel in India. These trains not only reflect the success of ‘Make in India' initiative but also set new global standards for speed, safety, and service," Sridhar said.