In a strategic move to meet growing demand and improve passenger comfort, Indian Railways has approved a substantial capacity increase for its popular Vande Bharat Express—doubling seating power on several major inter-city routes.
Why Longer Trains Matter
Even five years after their debut, Vande Bharat Express trains are in soaring demand. With occupancy regularly exceeding 100%, trains are crowded and waiting lists long. In the fiscal year 2024–25, average occupancy hovered just above full, and figures climbed even higher into early 2025. Adding coaches is a practical solution to ease congestion, elevate the travel experience, and maximize the popularity of India’s cutting-edge semi-high-speed fleets.
Scope of the Expansion
The Railway Board is implementing upgrades across seven routes renowned for their passenger load:
- Three existing 16-coach services will be expanded to 20-coach formations:
- Mangaluru Central ↔ Thiruvananthapuram Central
- Secunderabad ↔ Tirupati
- Chennai Egmore ↔ Tirunelveli
- Four 8-coach routes will be upgraded to 16-coach trains:
- Madurai ↔ Bengaluru Cantt
- Deoghar ↔ Varanasi
- Howrah ↔ Rourkela
- Indore ↔ Nagpur
Beyond these, plans include preparing even more 20-coach rakes and reassigning freed-up units to open new services, enhancing network flexibility.
Passenger Perks on Enhanced Routes
Travelers on these upgraded routes can expect more space, fewer crowded coaches, and a smoother experience. Vande Bharat trains already stand out with advanced features like plush AC chair cars, an executive class with rotating seats, onboard Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, power outlets, and automatic doors.
Longer trains translate into more uninterrupted journeys, shorter queues for seats, and greater convenience during peak hours for commuters and tourists alike.
Supporting Rail Modernization Goals
This coach expansion aligns with Indian Railways’ larger vision to modernize and scale up operations. It complements initiatives such as the manufacture of sleeper Vande Bharat sets, ongoing electrification, line expansions, and investments in safety and infrastructure upgrades across the country.
Notably, projects like the forthcoming Integrated Coaching Depot in Ranavav aim to enhance maintenance capacity for these modern trains.
Reimagining the Travel Experience
This expansion may reshape travel patterns:
- Tourists can enjoy more reliable and comfortable journeys connecting heritage destinations like Varanasi to Deoghar or bustling cities like Bengaluru and Chennai.
- Daily commuters and occasional travelers benefit from reduced wait times and improved seating availability, particularly during festivals and peak seasons.
- Rail’s rich cultural connectivity—from religious pilgrimage to business corridors—remains strong as services grow with demand.
Challenges on the Tracks
Upgrading train capacities brings operational challenges. Platforms, signaling systems, and maintenance facilities must align with longer rakes. Additional trains may require updates in schedules, depot capabilities, and crew training. But Indian Railways has increasingly embraced such modernization, framing them as crucial infrastructure enhancements rather than standalone projects.
Future Prospects on the Horizon
As demand continues to climb, this coach augmentation could pave the way for further network expansion. Vande Bharat sleeper variants are being readied, introducing overnight connectivity across longer routes. More longer rakes entering service would allow the system to address growing ridership and explore new city links.
For travelers, this is a positive step toward faster, more comfortable rail travel—the kind that matches India’s growth and mobility needs.
Quick Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Routes Upgraded | 7 major routes: some from 8→16 coaches, others 16→20 coaches |
| Reason | Consistently high occupancy (over 100%) and passenger demand |
| Benefits | More seats, less crowding, enhanced comfort and connectivity |
| Rail Modernization | Aligns with Vande Bharat expansions, new depots, and infrastructure scale |
| Future Outlook | More sleeper trains, new routes, expanded network capacity |
Wrap Up
Indian Railways’ decision to enlarge Vande Bharat trains marks a milestone in its push for modernization and passenger-first travel. By stretching capacities on high-volume corridors, the network stands to offer smoother, faster, and more accommodating journeys. For travelers and tourism along these routes, the benefits are immediate and transformative.
For more travel news like this, keep reading Global Travel Wire
