India: The presentation ceremony of car bodies, made of austenitic stainless steel, took place at the BEML production site in Bengaluru.
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.
