Future-Ready Railways: Vande Bharat 4.0 in 18 months, Amrit Bharat 4.0 in 36 months

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025 on October 15 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the theme “Future-Ready Railways.” Here's a roundup of the key announcements and highlights:

Exhibition Overview
- Scale: Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest railway technology showcase.
- Participants: Over 450 companies from 15+ countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
- Organizers: Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Railways and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Major Announcements
- Dedicated Passenger Corridors:
- Planned development of 7,000 km of high-speed corridors by 2047.
- Designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, with operating speeds of 320 km/h.

- Quality Mandate:
- Manufacturers urged to improve production processes and material standards.
- Warning of debarment for substandard supplies.

Vande Bharat 4.0
- The Minister said that Vande Bharat is a huge success.On technical parameters, it matches with the best in the world. India is working on the next generation of high-speed trains, with a strong focus on the export market. He stated that India is currently operating Vande Bharat 3.0, which represents a significant improvement over its earlier versions. The Minister highlighted that Vande Bharat 3.0 already meets international benchmarks, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds—faster than many trains in Japan and Europe—while maintaining lower noise and vibration levels. He added that Vande Bharat 4.0 is expected to be launched within the next 18 months, aiming to set global benchmarks in every aspect of performance and passenger experience. The new version will focus on enhancing toilets, improving seats, and elevating the overall workmanship of the coaches. He said the goal is to establish Vande Bharat 4.0 as the global standard, a train so advanced in quality and comfort that countries around the world would aspire to adopt it.

Amrit Bharat 4.0
- The Minister also discussed the progress of Amrit Bharat trains. He noted that Amrit Bharat 2.0 is operational, while version 3.0 is under development based on push-pull technology—suitable for long-distance journeys. The Minister stated that Amrit Bharat 4.0 will feature next-generation trainsets and locomotives. He added that within the next 36 months, the new-generation passenger locomotives are expected to be designed, manufactured, and ready for testing.

Strategic Vision
Vaishnaw emphasized India’s ambition to lead the world in rail technology, aligning with the Viksit Bharat vision for modern, safe, and efficient rail infrastructure.