Indian Railways|IRCTC News|Indian Railways is preparing to launch a new version of the Vande Bharat Train. This will be the third such train in the country and it will be flagged off on August 12 from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for testing. Sources gave this information on Tuesday.

Sources said that this train is likely to run on a special route in South India from November. According to railway sources, the semi-high speed (160-200 kmph) Vande Bharat test will be started before August 15. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi can flag off the train from Chennai. However, it is yet to be confirmed.

The new version of Vande Bharat will be tested from Kota in Rajasthan to Nagda section of Madhya Pradesh. The test speed of the train will be 100 to 180 kmph. After the success in two to three trials, the new Vande Bharat train can be approved for commercial operation.

Railways has claimed that 75 Vande Bharat trains will start running on the tracks by August 15, 2023, as announced by Prime Minister Modi. ICF has a production capacity of 6 to 7 Vande Bharat rakes (trains) every month and efforts are on to increase this number to 10. Apart from this, Vande Bharat trains will also be manufactured at Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli.

Sources said that the new Vande Bharat train has taken care of many aspects including safety and comfortable facilities for the passengers. Presently Vande Bharat train is being operated between Delhi to Katra and Delhi to Varanasi.