India: The presentation ceremony of car bodies,
made of austenitic stainless steel, took place at the BEML production site in
Bangalore.
The event was attended by Indian Railway Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw who announced the first trains to be put in operation in test
mode in the third quarter.
The Minister also commented on the car cost which
amounted to INR 80–90 mln (about $1 mln). The cost is substantial as the
rolling stock is equipped with the drive and brake systems, air conditioning
and other components of BEML’s own production.
Each sleeper trainset, with a total capacity of 823
passengers, consists of one first-class car, four second-class cars, and eleven
three-tier sleeper cars.
The Indian manufacturer plans to produce ten
sleeper electric trains, 16 cars each. Besides, Vande Bharat trains with
sleeper places are to be produced by two consortia, TMH-RVNL and Titagarh
Wagons-BHEL, as well as by Alstom.
