Alstom, Medha-Stadler JV bid to supply 100 light-weight sleeper version Vande Bharat trains

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): Indian Railways has recently opened the technical bids for the tender called for manufacturing and supply of 100 light weight Vande Bharat trains with sleeper facility and a speed of 200 kmph on 23rd February 2023 in New Delhi.

As per information shared by Railway, French multinational rolling stock maker Alstom Transport and Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives in partnership with Swiss Rolling Stock firm Stadler have bid to manufacture, supply and maintain 100 aluminium body Vande Bharat trainsets for 35 years for Indian Railways. The estimate value of this contract package is about Rs 30,000 crore.

According to Railway officials, the winning bidder for the Rs 30,000 crore contract to manufacture and maintain 100 aluminum Vande Bharat trains will receive Rs 13,000 crore upon delivery, with an additional Rs 17,000 crore to be paid over 35 years for maintenance.

"The Indian Railways is currently reviewing technical bids, with financial bids to be opened in the next 45 days. The tender document requires the successful bidder to produce a prototype of the sleeper class Vande Bharat train within 24 months," said officials. However, the officials had anticipated approximately five to seven bids for this contract package with the firms such as Germany-based Siemens in partnership with BEML, Russian Transmashholding, Titagarh Wagons, Hyundai Rotem and BHEL among those expected to participate.

This is for the first time, the Indian Railways has decided to introduce aluminum coaches with Sleeper facility for Vande Bharat trains. The 16-coach light weight Vande Bharat trains would be designed for maximum speed of 220 kmph and operational speed of 200 kmph.

At present, Indian Railways is not operating any aluminium trains because of the absence of technology and the material needed to make them.