NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has commenced trial runs of the country’s first Vande Bharat freight train on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route, marking a significant step towards modernising India’s cargo transportation network.
The 16-coach Electric Multiple Unit rake is designed to carry up to 264 tonnes of palletised container cargo at a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour, representing a substantial leap over conventional freight operations.
Built by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, the rake comes with advanced propulsion and braking systems, a special roller floor system for easier parcel loading, automatic wide sliding doors and temperature-controlled facilities.
The train has also been equipped with CCTV surveillance and fire detection systems to ensure cargo security during transit.
Earlier trials on the Kota-Rohal Khurd section demonstrated the train’s capability at 130 kilometres per hour, with teams from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation overseeing technical assessments.
Compared to existing cargo trains that cover 60-70 kilometres per hour, the Vande Bharat Freight train has an average operating speed of 80-90 kilometres per hour, potentially transforming delivery timelines across major corridors.
The first operational corridor is planned between the Delhi NCR and Mumbai regions, though the current Ahmedabad-Mumbai trials suggest the railways are evaluating multiple high-density routes for deployment.
The initiative builds upon the success of Vande Bharat passenger services, which have transformed intercity travel across India.
The train has not been launched for commercial service yet, with further technical checks and safety certifications required before it can start regular operations.
If trials proceed as planned, the service could become a blueprint for similar high-speed freight corridors nationwide, offering a faster and more reliable alternative to road transport.
