Hyderabad, In a bid to enhance the operational efficiency and service quality of the Vande Bharat trains, the South Central Railway (SCR) has planned to set up three new advanced maintenance depots at Tellapur, Cherlapally, and Tirupati. The depots will cater to the growing fleet of the semi-high-speed trains that connect Hyderabad with various destinations across the country.
The Vande Bharat trains, also known as Train 18, are indigenously designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. They are capable of running at a maximum speed of 180 kmph and offer state-of-the-art features such as automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information system, and on-board Wi-Fi. The trains have been operational since 2019 and have received positive feedback from the passengers for their comfort and convenience.
The SCR currently operates two Vande Bharat trains on the Hyderabad-Tirupati and Hyderabad-New Delhi routes. The primary maintenance of these trains is carried out at Secunderabad and Kacheguda Coaching Yards, where the trains undergo daily inspections and weekly overhauls. However, with the increasing demand and frequency of the Vande Bharat trains, there is a need to augment the maintenance infrastructure and manpower.
According to SCR officials, the three new depots will be equipped with modern facilities such as a heavy repair shed, an EOT crane for coach lifting, and a dedicated washing line. The depots will also have a computerized monitoring system and a diagnostic centre to detect and rectify any faults in the trains. The depots will be able to handle daily examinations and weekly thorough checks of the Vande Bharat trains, thereby reducing the turnaround time and improving the availability of the trains.
The SCR has allocated Rs 10 crore for these projects in the recent interim budget. The construction work of the depots is expected to start soon and be completed by the end of this year. The SCR will also train its staff members to handle the maintenance of the Vande Bharat trains, which require specialized skills and knowledge.
The SCR hopes that the new depots will boost the performance and reliability of the Vande Bharat trains and provide a better travel experience to the passengers. The SCR also plans to introduce more Vande Bharat trains on other routes in the near future, as part of its vision to transform Hyderabad as a preferred city for rail travel.
