Vande Metro: Jindal Stainless Joins Forces With Indian Railways For Upcoming Short Commute Train

In a significant development, Jindal Stainless, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel has provided high-strength stainless steel for the upcoming Vande Metro train.

Indian Railways recently unveiled the Vande Metro train from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.

Vande Metro trains are designed for shorter distances compared to the renowned 'Vande Bharat' express trains. These trains are slated to operate along routes spanning between 100 km and 250 km, with another variant in development, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, designated for routes exceeding 1,000 km.

The trial phase for Vande Metro trains is slated to commence in July, followed by subsequent testing of the sleeper variant, marking a significant stride towards modernising India's rail infrastructure and enhancing commuter convenience.

In line with the ambitious plans outlined by the Railway Ministry, Vande Metro trains are poised to connect 124 cities across the country. The preliminary routes for the Vande Metro trains include Bhubaneswar-Balasore, Agra-Mathura, Chennai-Tirupati, Delhi-Rewari, and Lucknow-Kanpur.

According to Jindal Stainless, the stainless steel supplied, known as "201LN", contributes to making the coaches lighter and more energy-efficient. This stainless steel variant is expected to enhance the overall performance of the Vande Metro trains.

Compared to conventional 'ferritic stainless steel', Jindal Stainless stated that the use of the '201LN' stainless steel has allowed for a reduction in the thickness of external panels on the trains from 3 mm to 2 mm. This reduction not only results in lighter coaches but also enhances energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Highlighting the advantages of the '201LN' stainless steel, Jindal Stainless emphasised its extreme corrosion resistance, superior durability, and enhanced crash-resistant properties, ensuring top-notch safety for passengers.

Abhyuday Jindal, the managing director of Jindal Stainless, stressed that the lightweight and energy-efficient design of the train will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the Indian Railways, aligning with its net-zero target, reports NDTV.

Vande Metro trains are to have rapid acceleration capabilities and frequent stops, ensuring efficient transportation. Each train will feature 12 coaches equipped with spacious automatic doors and side seats, optimising standing room for passengers.

In anticipation of heightened demand on busy routes, there is flexibility of expanding these trains to accommodate up to 16 coaches, further enhancing capacity.