R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, JULY 8
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that the 28th rake of the indigenous train – New Vande Bharat Express – features a new color scheme that draws “inspiration from the Indian Tricolor” and all these trains will be grey-saffron to show our Make In India initiative. He unveiled a special train that would be run on Heritage routes across the country.
Inspected Vande Bharat train production at ICF, Chennai. pic.twitter.com/9RXmL5q9zR
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (मोदी का परिवार) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) July 8, 2023
The Minister after inspecting a train modified as a steam loco train at the MGR Central Railway Station here said more such trains would be introduced on heritage routes in the coming months.
- Rlys to launch spl trains connecting heritage sites: Ashwini Vaishnaw
- The average budget outlay for Tamil Nadu during 2014-2023 is Rs 870 crores and the outlay has increased to Rs 6,080 crores during 2023-24
- Interacts with passengers, Press & Media and recognised Trade Unions
- The Minister holds review meeting with General Manager, Southern Railway
Elaborating on the concept, Vaishnaw said the Railways had planned to introduce a new concept — ‘Heritage special’ which would be built using ‘steam engines’ as the theme.
“The steam engine as we all know, is very emotionally connected to us and even though it is not running today, we thought we can create a new concept that looks like a steam engine but actually operates by electricity,” he told reporters.
Hon'ble Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw inspected a heritage special tourist train at Dr MGR Chennai Central today
The Tourist train is a joint effort by Southern Railway's Perambur Carriage & Wagon Works, Avadi EMU Car Shed and Trichy Goldenrock workshop @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/cNjtLhHNq2
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) July 8, 2023
The Minister, who began his speech in Tamil, said the special concept was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he (the PM) believes in the concept which is ‘virasat bhi, vikas bhi’ which means ‘heritage’ and ‘development’ should go together.
“This new concept has been created as heritage special, I thank the very good technical officers, staff and Golden Rock Railway Workshop, Tiruchirappalli, Perambur, and Avadi who have all contributed in creating this concept,” he said.
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To a query, he said the special train would be first tested on long heritage routes and later it would be open for tourists in two-three months.
“We will first try this and then manufacture more of this. In another two or three months, it should get into public use. Basically, our testing on the ground is complete, we received the safety certificate for it. we will be running it on longer routes and then take it into regular commercial operation” he said.
Vaishnaw said the Ministry would initially look at popular heritage routes across the country for launching the special train.
“Of course, Tamil Nadu will definitely have one (special train). We will discuss with the tourism department of Tamil Nadu and see which is the best route. All across the country, we will run it ” he said.
Asked about the funding went for developing this concept, he said, “This is more of a modification of the existing things, the boiler is newly constructed. it is not very expensive.” On the operation of the North-South corridor for freight trains, Vaishnaw explained that the Ministry is working with a ‘comprehensive programme’ like which are the major sources of cargo, what are the major destinations for the cargo.
“That is the approach we are following. What railways is thinking is that we are now looking at strengthening the existing (freight) corridors,” he said.
Vaishnaw said the average allocation for railway development in Tamil Nadu grew to Rs 6,070 crore from Rs 870 crore which was allocated before 2014.
“Rs 870 crore vs Rs 6,070 crore for rail development in Tamil Nadu. And that is the change which has happened in the last nine years and that is why you are able to see so many new projects in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
On the launch of Vande Bharat trains, he said the Railways was manufacturing at the rate of one train a week. “More trains will be coming in South,” he said.
“The first objective that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us is, we must connect all the states. So, by June-end all the states are now connected wherever electrified railway is there, so with that connection now we are taking more routes within the states,” he said.
The special train launched today would consist of three air-conditioned executive chair cars and one airc-onditioned pantry and restaurant car.
The concept for the coaches was conceived, and developed by Southern Railway in consultation with Research Designs and Standards Organisation and Railway Board.
The four air-conditioned coaches, each having a capacity of 48 seats, were converted with modern features along with aesthetically designed interiors and fittings to have a comfortable experience for the tourists.
New Vande Bharat Exp will be grey-saffron
The minister visited the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai on Saturday, where the Vande Bharat express trains are manufactured. During his visit, accompanied by ICF officials, he assessed the production of these latest high-speed trains and explored the extensive campus.
The railway minister was seen examining the seats inside the Vande Bharat train. He also visited the loco pilot zone and inspected the area. One of the videos also shows a new Vande Bharat train in a unique grey-saffron color. Following his inspection, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the 28th rake of the indigenous train features a new color scheme that draws “inspiration from the Indian Tricolor”.
“This is a concept of Make In India, (which means) designed in India, by our own engineers, and technicians. So whatever feedback we are receiving from the field units, regarding ACs, toilets, etc., during the operation of Vande Bharat, all those improvements are being used for making changes in the design,” Vaishnaw said.
“A new safety feature, ‘anti climbers’, or anti-climbing devices, on which we are working, were also reviewed today. These will be standard features in all the Vande Bharat and other trains,” he added.
At Dr MGR Chennai Central, the Minister also met the representatives of recognized Trade Unions and Associations of Southern Railway besides interacting with the passengers.
Review Meeting at Southern Railway Headquarters
Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw personally gets passenger feedback regarding the facilities being offered. Passengers were elated by the Minister's move.
– During the Minister's inspection of Dr MGR Chennai Central today pic.twitter.com/4Eubuueunl
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) July 8, 2023
Followed by the inspection at Dr MGR Chennai Central, Ashwini Vaishnaw, held a review meeting at Southern Railway Headquarters. RN Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway gave a presentation on the performance highlights of Southern Railway. The Minister commended the performance of the Zone on various facets of working and advised corrective action wherever required.
Hon'ble Union Minister for Railways, Electronics, Communications & IT Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw chaired a review meeting with Shri R.N. Singh, General Manager, Principal Heads of departments and DRMs of Southern Railway today – At Southern Railway Headquarters, Chennai pic.twitter.com/DPncJqiCmW
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) July 8, 2023
The Minister reviewed and discussed matters concerning Safety, progress of infrastructural and station redevelopment projects, Speed enhancement works, timetabling of trains, maintenance of railway assets and enhancement of freight loading with General Manager RN. Singh, Ganesh, DRM, Chennai, and Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway.
