TMH-RVNL consortium propels the ₹35,000 crore Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Project

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): In a significant leap forward for the ambitious Sleeper Vande Bharat train initiative, Russian railway powerhouse TMH marked a pivotal moment by submitting a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of Rs 200 crore on 28th August 2023.

This move paves the way for the Indian Railways to solidify a Manufacturing cum Maintenance Agreement with TMH, cementing their role as the technology partner responsible for crafting 120 Vande Bharat trains featuring Sleeper coaches.

Preceding this milestone, the shareholder agreement binding TMH, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) and Locomotive Electric Systems was inked, forming the bedrock of the Joint Venture aimed at fabricating the Sleeper class Vande Bharat trains.

The equity distribution outlines TMH subsidiary Metrowagonmash holding a commanding 70 per cent, while RVNL and Locomotive Electronic Systems (LES), a Russian equipment supplier, secure 25 percent and 5 percent shares respectively within this collaborative endeavor.

Although BEML remains engaged in producing the inaugural Sleeper Vande Bharat trainset for ICF, TMH, the Russian industrial giant, retains creative freedom to conceive their distinct Sleeper design.

The comprehensive agreement for the production of 120 trains necessitates the establishment of a dedicated entity, christened 'Kinet Railway Solutions Limited'. This special purpose vehicle (SPV) will orchestrate the assembly, distribution, and upkeep of the Vande Bharat trainsets operational under the aegis of Indian Railways.

Bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty and conjecture, RVNL, the Railways' public sector unit, has embraced its role as the junior partner in alignment with the original pact. This strategic collaboration with Russian rolling stock titan TMH propels the formidable Rs 35,000 crore Vande Bharat project forward.

The newly minted SPV holds the mandate to fabricate and supply 120 electric passenger sleeper-train sets for Vande Bharat within the stipulated timeline, concurrently overseeing the maintenance services for these train sets over a 35-year span.

Of the 200 Sleeper Vande Bharat train sets slated for production, the contract allocates 120 to the TMH-RVNL partnership, while Titagarh-BEML assumes responsibility for the remaining 80 units.

Presently, the Indian Railways' Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is diligently crafting Vande Bharat trains furnished with seating arrangements. However, this offering will cease after the completion of 75 such units.

The ICF will initially commission 10 Vande Bharat trains furnished with sleeper provisions from the state-owned BEML. Nonetheless, the Railways are steadfast in their assertion that the design framework advanced by BEML shall not dictate the course for the TMH-RVNL alliance. Should they wish, the consortium is free to devise its unique design, subject to approval by the Railway Design and Standards Organization (RDSO).

Foreseen to outshine the Rajdhani trains in terms of amenities, average speed, and upkeep, the forthcoming Vande Bharat sleeper train promises a superior travel experience.

The TMH-RVNL consortium will engineer these 120 Vande Bharat trains at the railway facilities stationed in Latur, ushering in a new era of overnight travel luxury.

With the ambitious Vande Bharat project on track, the future appears promising for Indian travelers, setting the stage for an unparalleled transformation in the realm of overnight railway travel experiences.