Last Updated on April 20, 2026 1:43 pm by Rohit Gadhia
Think about the last time you travelled by train in India. If you’ve been on the Delhi–Varanasi route recently, chances are you noticed something different — cleaner seats, automatic doors, faster speeds, and a meal served on a tray. That’s not your imagination. That’s Vande Bharat.
But here’s the real question: is this train actually changing Indian Railways, or is it a premium upgrade that most Indians still can’t afford?
Let’s find out.
What Is Vande Bharat Express?
Vande Bharat Express — originally called Train 18 — is India’s first indigenously designed and built semi-high-speed passenger train. It was developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai under the Make in India initiative, without importing a single major component from abroad.
The first train ran on February 15, 2019, between New Delhi and Varanasi. Back then, it was a single route, a single train, and a lot of scepticism.
Fast forward to 2026, and the picture looks very different.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
Here’s where it gets impressive.
As of early 2026, 164 Vande Bharat services are running across 82 routes, covering 274+ districts across every major Indian Railway zone. That’s not a pilot project anymore — that’s a national network.
But the passenger numbers are what truly stand out. According to the Ministry of Railways, Vande Bharat carried nearly 4 crore passengers in FY 2025–26 alone — a 34% jump from the previous year. Since its launch in 2019, the train has completed one lakh trips and served over 9.1 crore passengers in total.
That’s not just good numbers. That’s a cultural shift in how urban India travels.
And then there’s the newest addition: the Vande Bharat Sleeper, launched in January 2026 on the Howrah–Guwahati route. In just its first three months of operation, it carried 1.21 lakh passengers across 119 trips — with an occupancy rate exceeding 100%. Clearly, demand isn’t the problem.
What Makes Vande Bharat Different From Regular Trains?
If you’ve never travelled on one, here’s what sets it apart from a regular Rajdhani or Shatabdi:
Speed: Vande Bharat is designed to operate at up to 160 km/h and cuts journey times by up to 45% on several routes. The Delhi–Varanasi trip, which used to take 12–13 hours on older trains, now takes around 8 hours.
Comfort: Executive and Chair Car seating with rotating seats, large panoramic windows, and better leg space. No more claustrophobic AC compartments.
Safety: The train comes equipped with India’s homegrown Kavach anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, automatic fire detection, and automatic doors — features that most Indian trains still don’t have.
Cleanliness: Bio-vacuum toilets, touch-free amenities, and onboard catering that comes included in the ticket price.
In short, it’s the closest thing to an airline experience on Indian rails — at a fraction of the airfare. At least in theory.
The Criticism Nobody Wants to Talk About
Here’s where we need to be honest.
Vande Bharat is a fantastic train — but it’s not for everyone yet. And that’s a genuine problem for a country where 1.4 billion people depend on Indian Railways.
Fares are steep. A Chair Car ticket on a typical Vande Bharat route costs ₹1,000–₹1,500. An Executive Chair Car can go up to ₹2,500–₹3,000. For a middle-class family of four, that’s ₹10,000–₹12,000 for a one-way trip — more expensive than budget air travel on some routes.
The affordability question reached Parliament in March 2025, when Congress MP Rakibul Hussain directly asked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw whether the government planned to reduce fares. The minister’s response was careful — acknowledging that fares are set based on the cost of service and “what passengers can bear,” but offering no firm commitment to reductions.
Why can’t they just cut fares? Because running a single Vande Bharat round-trip of 1,000–1,500 km costs between ₹5–8 lakh per day — including energy costs of ₹2–3 lakh, maintenance of ₹1–1.5 lakh, and crew salaries. Subsidising that at scale is a massive financial challenge.
The common man concern. Critics — including passenger associations and railway unions — argue that the focus on premium trains is coming at the cost of basic sleeper and general class coaches that crores of Indians rely on daily. The Kerala Kaumudi noted that Railways Minister Vaishnaw himself acknowledged this concern in 2024, promising new general coaches would be added.
So, Is Vande Bharat Changing Indian Railways?
The short answer: yes, but selectively.
For urban, middle-class India travelling inter-city distances of 400–800 km, Vande Bharat is genuinely transformative. It’s faster, safer, and cleaner than anything Indian Railways has offered before. The 34% ridership growth and 100%+ occupancy rates are not government propaganda — they reflect real demand from real passengers.
But for the 70% of Indians who travel in sleeper and general class, Vande Bharat is still a train they read about, not one they ride.
The real test of whether Vande Bharat changes Indian Railways for everyone will depend on two things:
- Whether the Vande Bharat Sleeper can be priced competitively enough for middle-income overnight travellers
- Whether Amrit Bharat trains — designed for lower-income passengers on the same modern platform — get the same attention and investment
India’s railway journey is long. Vande Bharat has clearly upgraded the first-class cabin. The challenge now is upgrading the whole train.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| First run | February 15, 2019 |
| Total services (2026) | 164 across 82 routes |
| Districts covered | 274+ |
| Passengers carried (FY26) | ~4 crore |
| Total passengers since launch | 9.1 crore+ |
| Max design speed | 160–180 km/h |
| Vande Bharat Sleeper launched | January 2026 |
| Sleeper occupancy rate | 100%+ in first 3 months |
What Do You Think?
Have you travelled on a Vande Bharat? Did it live up to the hype — or did the fare put you off? Share your experience in the comments below.
Also read: Delimitation Bill 2026: A Complete Guide to India’s Electoral Transformation
Sources: Ministry of Railways / DD News · PIB India · Lok Sabha Question No. 3102
I am an independent analyst and contributor at India2040, covering the intersection of Indian politics, economy, and public policy. I focus on electoral affairs, government policy, and India’s long-term growth story, with the aim of making complex national developments accessible to a wider audience. I am based in Gujarat and have been closely following Indian political and economic developments for several years. For queries or story tips, you can reach me at rohit@india2040.com
