The 16-car Vande Bharat train built at Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, has received conditional approval. However, the Railway Board has directed officials to rectify several technical defects.
In a letter dated October 23, 2026, the Board communicated its observations to RDSO and railway safety authorities. The approval covers operation at speeds of up to 160 kmph, subject to applicable restrictions.
However, the train cannot currently operate beyond 130 kmph. A senior zonal railway official said the Board has imposed this restriction across all rail networks.
Railway Board flags five technical issues
The Board identified concerns involving the driver’s display unit, fire extinguishers and electrical systems. It also sought clarification on the traction motor’s rated power.
| Area | Railway Board’s observation |
|---|---|
| Driver display unit | Poor touch sensitivity makes the DDU screen difficult to operate. |
| Fire extinguishers | Acrylic doors provided on fire extinguishers are loosely secured and need proper fixing. |
| Circuit breakers | Single-pole MCBs make electrical faults harder to trace. The Board wants double-pole MCBs in this rake and future rakes. |
| Labelling | MCBs lack identification labels showing the equipment they control. RCF must provide proper markings. |
| Traction motor | The motor carries a 270 kW rating, higher than ratings from other manufacturers. RDSO and RCF must justify the difference. |
The Board raised particular concerns over the single-pole miniature circuit breakers (MCBs). It said these could complicate fault tracing during equipment failures or malfunctions.
Additionally, a railway official explained the practical impact of missing labels. If a coach’s lighting fails, technicians may struggle to identify the relevant MCB quickly.
First Vande Bharat chair car built outside ICF
RCF Kapurthala rolled out the 16-car rake on March 31, 2026. The train features an Alstom propulsion system.
It is the first Vande Bharat chair car manufactured outside the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. The conditional approval now requires RCF and other railway authorities to address the identified issues.
